Ante-post Champion Hurdle favourite Samcro is on the drift in the Cheltenham market following a bitterly disappointing seasonal debut at Down Royal.
The Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner from last season started the WKD Hurdle as the red hot favourite to claim the win but a flat showing from the Gordon Elliott trained horse meant he was beaten by Bedrock.
One of the hottest horses in training, Samcro was expected to amble to victory at Down Royal on the first step towards the Cheltenham Festival but he came unstuck with a tired display after the final obstacle.
Sharjah and Ruby Walsh set a strong gallop on the front end which may have had an impact on the favourite but that only appeared to set it up for the Iain Jardine trained Bedrock.
The big talking point though was the disappointing run from Samcro with his future likely to be the subject of much discussion now. A Champion Hurdle route was favoured over a career over fences but his price for the Cheltenham Festival day one feature was on the drift from 5/2 to 4/1 in the seconds after the race with one firm, as the bookmakers take stock of a major upset.
The Cheltenham Festival may still be four months away but already we have a major doubt over a star that was the favourite for the Champion Hurdle. There is no doubt the horse will come on for the run, but will Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown stick to hurdles or will this defeat see them revert back to a chasing career?
Excellent from Bedrock to take the victory.
(📹@AtTheRaces)
