Jack Kennedy: Samcro will prove he is Champion Hurdle class in Fighting Fifth

Paddock poser: Samcro spots the camera in the preliminaries before the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

Samcro: starts his chasing career at Down Royal on Friday afternoonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jack Kennedy is convinced Samcro will prove himself to be a genuine Champion Hurdle contender in Newcastle's Fighting Fifth Hurdle on Saturday, stressing that the Cheltenham Festival winner has much more speed than people give him credit for.

Samcro is set for a sumptuous showdown with dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air in the BetVictor-sponsored contest, but he has a reputation to restore following his shock defeat to Bedrock on his return to action at Down Royal earlier this month.

On Tuesday he was out to as big as 2-1 with Coral to win the first Grade 1 hurdle of the season in Britain, for which Buveur D'Air was even-money favourite and Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Summerville Boy a 4-1 chance.

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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 27 November 2018inNews

Last updated 20:32, 27 November 2018

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