Samcro pleases on hurdles debut

Samcro made short work of the opposition as odds of 1/5 suggested he would in the Buy Your 2018 Annual Badge Maiden Hurdle.

The point-to-point and triple bumper scorer followed his Gordon Elliott stable companion Pallastor (opening Legends Race) to the number one spot at Punchestown.

With Jack Kennedy up, the Germany gelding's hurdling was good in the main, and he extended away in the straight to account for Mind's Eye by fifteen lengths.

Like Samcro, Mind's Eye is also owned by Gigginstown House Stud.

"Job done — we think he's a nice horse. Jack said it was pretty straight-forward and he would have done as much at home on the gallop," said Elliott.

"He's relaxed and you could step him up in trip but he's got the pace for that. He's a nice horse, it's hard to know how good he is but we like him and we think the world of him.

"His bumpers were very good last year. Half-way through his bumpers he looks like he goes to sleep and is lobbing along.

"I think the day we really saw him was the day with Lisa when she gave him a slap down the shoulder, at Fairyhouse, and he showed the pace he has.

"He put it to sleep there from the turn-in to the last, he put 15-lengths between them.

"I don't think he could have done anymore than he did. He'd have to improve again to go to the next level but he looks a nice horse.

"We have that many of them we have to split them up. It'll be steady steady and he'll have one more run before Christmas I'd imagine.

"We'll have to look at something like the Royal Bond. I've said it all along I think he's quick enough for two miles and he has the stamina to stay and step out whenever you want.

"Chasing is going to be his game so we'll try and mind him."

Five from five - the highly exciting Samcro wins as he likes on his hurdles debut at @punchestownrace: pic.twitter.com/IeWFbqL2BC

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2017

(GC & EM)