Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

AFTER the best part of two years in the wilderness Samcro, the horse on everyone’s lips at the conclusion of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, found redemption in the most stirring of finishes.

For a compelling storyline this race had it all. The former Champion Hurdle hero Faugheen came here chasing a Grade 1 hat-trick, while Samcro had recorded just a Down Royal beginners’ chase success since his Ballymore victory in 2018. It was a thoroughly intriguing and absorbing match up and it served up the finish of the week as Samcro somehow edged out Melon, with Faugheen just a length back in third.

Swagger

There have been times since the heady days of his novice hurdling career that Samcro has looked a pale shadow of the horse who once possessed the sort of swagger and style that made him such a charismatic performer. Indeed a heavy defeat behind Faugheen at Limerick over Christmas suggested that Samcro’s pretensions to top-level victories could be fading fast.

However, if one was looking for heart, determination and an unyielding will to win they would have found it all in Samcro’s effort here. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding jumped and travelled with his old verve for Davy Russell and a big jump three out, where Faugheen was far from fluent, carried him into a close second behind Melon.

After fluffing the second last Samcro got back on an even keel to jump the last boldly and the stage seemed set for him to go to win. Melon simply refused to lie down though and a rallying Faugheen threatened to get on terms with both them.

Memorable finish

In a truly memorable bobbing finish Melon was in front a stride before the line and a stride after it but on the line it was Samcro’s flared nostril which edged the photo.

“He’s been a forgotten horse maybe but he is such a yard favourite. This is unbelievable, amazing, I’m a bit lost for words to be honest,” stated a rather hoarse and equally elated Elliott. “All the girls at home and Jack Madden who rides him out every day have done an amazing job with this horse. The staff at home have spent day and night trying to get this horse right. He hasn’t been scoping clean and it has been hard to get him to scope right but thankfully it has paid off today.

“Everyone was knocking him when he was in the doldrums – I probably lost a bit of faith in him myself but he’s back. Jack Madden said to me this week that he hadn’t been this well since the Ballymore. It’s just brilliant to have him back,” added Elliott.