Black Op looks poised to strike down Samcro

1.30 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

Crowing about Samcro is an uncontroversial response to his bumper form and three hurdle races, particularly the Grade 3 in which he showed a trademark turn of foot and breezed home 12 lengths to the good on his only appearance at 2m4f.

Last week I was convinced that those results did not make odds of 6-4 on attractive, but Vinndication’s withdrawal took out one plausible rival and now On The Blind Side’s has hugely weakened the opposition.

However, Next Destination also has very good form and is 3-3 over hurdles and Black Op left a very positive impression in defeat here in January at the hands of Albert Bartlett favourite Santini.