Samcro seeking redemption again as he faces stiff competition in red-hot Grade 3

6.40 Killarney
An Riocht Chase (Grade 3) | 2m4f, 5yo+ | RTV

Samcro, the horse once described as the second coming of Jesus Christ, is out to resurrect his career on Monday evening when the dual Cheltenham Festival winner contests the Grade 3 An Riocht Chase.

Since the second of those festival victories in the 2020 Marsh Novices' Chase, it has been a tale of woe for Samcro, who arrives here with a pair of Ps next to his name.

He was pulled up after jumping just nine fences in the Ryanair in March, while he was also unable to complete in a first try over three miles in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

A summer campaign geared towards the Galway Plate is not the sort of plan we ever thought would be devised for Samcro, but that's the route connections are taking, presumably in the hope that it can restore his confidence.

Confidence will not be easily restored here, however, with four of his seven rivals rated 155 or higher. It is an unusually deep race for the second week of May.

Speaking about Samcro, trainer Denise Foster said: "I don't think we've seen the real Samcro on his last couple of runs. He seems very well in himself at the moment and, if he can come back to anything like his best, he should be right there.

"We're just hoping to see some of his old sparkle and, if he does, all roads will lead to the Galway Plate."

Cilaos Emery is the highest-rated runner in the line-up with a mark of 162 and he is actually in receipt of 2lb from Samcro. He has contested Champion Chases at both Cheltenham and Punchestown so will appreciate these shallower waters, and Willie Mullins thinks the step up in trip will suit.

The champion trainer said: "Cilaos Emery was fourth over two miles at Punchestown last time and looked like he needed a trip like this. He will like this ground."

Cilaos Emery: rated 4lb higher than Samcro yet gets 2lb from that rival hereCredit: Patrick McCann

Stablemate Easy Game is going the other way. He was last seen finishing last of the five finishers behind Clan Des Obeaux in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Mullins said: "Easy Game found three miles too far at Punchestown, but he didn't have a hard race so we are bringing him back in trip here."

On his other two contenders, Mullins added: "Robin Des Foret is another who will be going to the sales after this. He will be suited by the track, trip and ground. Unexcepted ran well at Punchestown and will handle this ground. He could improve with the step up in trip."

Peregrine Run has won this race for the last two years, justifying favouritism on each occasion, but he will be a big price to complete the hat-trick as the evergreen 11-year-old has four of his opponents rated higher than him this time around.

After losing his way last autumn, Peter Fahey's pride and joy returned from a 210-day absence to finish a close-up fourth in a hot handicap hurdle at the Punchestown festival, and he appears to retain all of his old enthusiasm.

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