Awesome display by Samcro

Samcro made it seven wins from seven career starts with a fantastic display in the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle on the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. Gordon Elliott's gelding had been forced to miss the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle last month due to a bad scope but it obviously had no lasting effect as he dismissed some high quality novices with disdain cruising throughout under Jack Kennedy. Taking command on the run to the final hurdle, he skipped clear to register a five and a half lengths victory. His connections were no commital afterwards regarding his Festival target but the Ballymore Novice Hurdle appears to be his most likely destination, although he would take the world of beating in the Supreme as well. He is a tremendous prospect.

Monalee got his chasing career very much back on track with a gutsy display in the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase over two miles five. Runner-up in last season's Albert Bartlett NH last spring, Henry De Bromhead's charge looked a potential top notcher on his fencing bow at Punchestown in November before taking a crunching fall in Grade 1 company over three miles at Leopardstown over Christmas. He was reportedly stiff and sore afterwards and took some time to recover from that but, once again, it wasn't evident in his performance this afternoon. Noel Fehily took over in the saddle and the pairing made all producing some terrific leaps in the process. Challenged on either side jumping the last, he battled on gamely to prevail by three parts of a length from the Willie Mullins pair Al Boum Photo and Invitation Only. The returned to three miles will play to his strengths in the RSA Chase and it will be an intriguing clash between him and the currently ante-post favourite Presenting Percy, plus the pick of the English staying novices. His fall on his previous start was so uncharacteristic compared to his two other performances over fences. Invitation Only ran well in third and I feel he is another who will appreciate the step up to three miles. Yet to race over the trip under Rules, he is a winning pointer and the Graham Wylie owned gelding looked a strong stayer in his bumper days.