Samcro bids to justify the hype and return to winning ways in Ryanair Hurdle

2.30 Leopardstown
Ryanair Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo+ | RTE2/ATR

Can Samcro return to winnings ways?

Isn't it about time the real Samcro stood up? He has been favourite for each of his ten starts. He's been odds-on for nine of those. The odd one out was the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle this month, where he was the 6-5 market leader.

That is the biggest price he has ever been for any race and Buveur D'Air was in it. That tells you all you need to know about the regard in which he is held.

The best jumping display of his career could not propel him to victory at Newcastle, instead Buveur D'Air whizzed by on the run-in to beat him by eight lengths. Was that the day Samcro was found out or did it just come a little too early in his education? Perhaps the answer will arrive here.

Gordon Elliott is certainly happy with Samcro, who has been beaten on all three starts since blowing away Black Op in the Ballymore at Cheltenham in March.

The trainer said: "Samcro is great. I'm very happy with him and we're looking forward to the race. Just like at Newcastle it's a very hot race and he'll have to bring his 'A' game."

Owner Michael O'Leary, who sponsors the race, admitted Samcro has struggled since stepping out of novice company, but on the plus side of that is seeing some of the hype defused.

He said: "I'm very hopeful. I'd love to see him win but hopefully he'll run well and come home safely. He's struggled a little out of novice company this season but at least all the nonsense that was talked about him has gone now."

Has Walsh picked the right one?

Melon might have given Buveur D'Air a mighty scare in the Champion Hurdle last March but he is still not the shortest-priced Willie Mullins representative in betting lists for this season's showdown, with Laurina two points shorter than him in the market.

Melon has not been seen since coming down at the same flight as Samcro at Punchestown in April but that has not stopped Ruby Walsh from picking him over stablemate Sharjah, the Morgiana winner.

Melon (yellow): Champion Hurdle runner-up will be partnered by Ruby WalshCredit: Caroline Norris

Walsh said: "I suppose his run in last season’s Champion Hurdle is the best piece of form on offer, and he’s rated 9lb above Sharjah.

"We’re happy with him. He doesn’t have to improve much to be a force to be reckoned with in all the top two-mile hurdles this season and I hope he can make a winning return."

Can Sharjah produce a career-best?

Amateurs seldom step on to the big stage for Grade 1s but Patrick Mullins is no ordinary amateur and his father probably didn't think twice about reuniting him with Sharjah.

Mullins was on board Sharjah when he won the Galway Hurdle in August off a mark of 146, and the pair would have won the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at this meeting last year had they not parted company at the last. They get on great together.

Sharjah (green cap): Morgiana winner the mount of Patrick MullinsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He gave me the highlight of my career when he won the Galway Hurdle and I'm absolutely thrilled to be riding him in a Grade 1, albeit a red-hot one," said the jockey.

He added: "He's the second-lowest rated horse in the race but has the advantage of having a few recent runs and he's a Grade 1 winner, so it's not impossible for him to finish ahead of Melon. He'll need a career-best to get involved, though."

Is this the right trip for Supasundae?

Jessica Harrington turned down a battle with Apple's Jade over three miles on Friday so Supasundae could scrap with Samcro and co over a mile shorter. Who can blame her?

Supasundae: turned down a battle with Apple's Jade to come hereCredit: Caroline Norris

The last twice Supasundae has won over this trip he has pocketed two Grade 1s, including the BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in February. Perhaps he has more speed than we all think.

Harrington said: "Supasundae is great and I'm very happy with him. He has some top form over two miles and I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on."

Was Bedrock's Down Royal win a fluke?

Bedrock beat Samco in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal in November, although you would not have thought so judging by the betting for this Grade 1.

Was that Down Royal display a fluke or should we take more notice of the performance?

Bedrock (orange): beat Samcro at Down RoyalCredit: Caroline Norris

Trainer Iain Jardine said: "He's been working really well and I'm really happy with him. We had him in at Kempton [in the Christmas Hurdle] but decided to come to Ireland instead. He headed over on Friday.

"He's a much bigger price than the horse he beat last time and you have some other big names in there like Melon and Supasundae. It's great to be involved in a race like that, having a horse that's good enough to take them on. We'll find out on Saturday just where he is with respect to all of them."

Might Petit have a big say?

We seem to have all forgotten Petit Mouchoir was an impressive seven-length winner of this race in 2016, when he had the likes of Nichols Canyon and Footpad in behind.

Last season's Racing Post Arkle third has not been seen for 247 days and Henry de Bromhead thinks he may need the blowout. Perhaps that's why his price is so juicy.

Petit Mouchoir: could be forgotten aboutCredit: Patrick McCann

The in-form trainer said: "He's working well but I'd say he's going to need it. It's probably come a couple of weeks sooner than ideal but I thought he was as well off here on some lovely ground than in a schooling race somewhere.

"He's had his problems but is a class horse and seems in great form. He kind of lost his way a bit over fences and was such a good hurdler we thought we'd start here and then see what we do after that. We'll feel our way."

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