Next Destination© Photo Healy Racing
No Samcro, but the Navan Novice Hurdle has still attracted a top-class field to the Meath track on Sunday.
Willie Mullins' Next Destination was a smart bumper horse, finishing fourth in the championship event at Cheltenham and looking a novice right out of the top drawer on his hurdling debut.
In beating the useful Someday from Jessica Harrington's yard by 13 lengths, a case can be made for him being the best Mullins' prospect so far this season, without creating the buzz that Samcro has.
Mullins has an excellent record in the Grade Two event - which was a Grade One until 2014 - having won five of the previous nine renewals.
"He ran a very good race in the Champion Bumper and was very impressive first time over hurdles in Naas," said assistant trainer Patrick Mullins.
"Samcro has looked a bit special this season, but I don't think he's come up against a horse as good as Next Destination yet.
"I think the ground and track will suit our horse on Sunday and the extra distance should bring about a bit of improvement."
While Samcro will wait for other options, Gordon Elliott still has three runners for Gigginstown House Stud.
The main hope appears to be Cracking Smart who in two runs over hurdles to date has not been off the bridle. Poli Roi was beaten at odds-on on his hurdling debut before making amends at Down Royal. Delta Work is the third contender, having finished third behind Samcro last time out.
Gigginstown's racing manager Eddie O'Leary said: "Hopefully they'll all run their races and then we'll see where they go after that."
Davy Russell rides Poli Roi, with Barry Geraghty on Delta Work.
Harrington runs Jetz who was second to Samcro last time out, while Half The Odds represents Noel Meade.
