Titanic clash: Samcro set to meet Buveur D'Air in Fighting Fifth Hurdle

Gordon Elliott said on Tuesday Samcro was on course to clash with dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air and Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Summerville Boy in the BetVictor Fighting Fifth Hurdle next month.

The trainer, who ruled Samcro out of the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday, said: "We put him in the Ascot race to have a look but he won't be travelling.

"His next race is likely to be the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle the following Saturday. He's also in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse [December 2] but we're aiming Apple's Jade at that race."

The six-year-old, who was a beaten 4-9 favourite behind Bedrock in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal this month, was withdrawn from the Morgiana Hurdle on Sunday due to the fast ground.

Buveur D'Air is 4-5 with BoyleSports to win a second Fighting Fifth, while Samcro is 7-4 from 9-4.

The Champion Hurdle hero was among the team exercised by Nicky Henderson at Newbury on Tuesday and the trainer said after the workout: "He's great. I wanted him to have a proper gallop and he has had a wind operation since the summer. He has done a lot of work but he needs to, he is a very stuffy horse so a gallop like that so he needs it.

"As long as we get some rain he should go to the Fighting Fifth but it was good to firm last Friday and if it was that ground we might not run him."

Laurina: could head to Ascot for the Coral HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

Willie Mullins' star mare Laurina, who was unbeaten in four starts over hurdles last season including in the mares' novice hurdle at the festival, is set to return in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle.

The trainer said: Laurina is in good form and the plan is to run her in the Coral Hurdle, a race we won with Annie Power and Faugheen."

Last year's winner Lil Rockerfeller is also entered, alongside the Nicky Henderson-trained Call Me Lord and We Have A Dream.

The ground at Ascot on Tuesday was good, good to soft in places. After showers on Tuesday the forecast is dry until further rain on Saturday.

Arkle hope Draconien ruled out for season

Draconien, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles in April and a 20-1 shot for the Racing Post Arkle, has been ruled out for the season by trainer Willie Mullins.

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