Samcro brings up the ton for Gigginstown as he edges pulsating Marsh from Melon

A century of Grade 1s for Gigginstown House Stud and what better way to bring up the ton than courtesy of Samcro, the horse who was their most prized possession not so long ago. And what made it all the sweeter was that the jockey thought he was beaten when flashing past the post.

A sensational finish made the Marsh a candidate for race of the festival, with Samcro and Melon passing the post virtually in unison with the remarkable veteran Faugheen carried out on his shield in third, just a length behind.

"I didn't think I was up, I thought he'd chinned me. My horse was headed and got back which will just show you the guts he has," revealed Samcro's rider Davy Russell.

We all knew Samcro had a lot of things coming here. A huge engine, loads of natural ability, a high cruising speed and natural jumping, but the one thing we were not sure he possessed was guts. This put that theory to bed.

Melon looked like he had his measure a few strides from the line, so much so that he hit a low of 1.06 on the exchanges, but he had to settle for second again. It is the fourth year in a row he will take home a silver medal from the festival having chased home Labaik in the 2017 Supreme and Buveur D'Air and Espoir D'Allen in the last two Champion Hurdles. He did not deserve this. His jumping was electric.

Faugheen, who has often stolen the headlines this season with his age-defying efforts as a 12-year-old novice chaser, including when conquering Samcro by ten lengths at Limerick in December, could not better that rival for a second time, finishing a gallant third.

He returned to huge acclaim but this was Samcro's day, well overdue it has to be said, and it has been Gordon Elliott's week. This was vindication of the trainer's unwavering faith in the imposing son of Germany, although he did admit afterwards that even his patience had been tested.

An understandably hoarse Elliott said: "Samcro is the forgotten horse. He is one of the favourites in the yard and we love him.

"He was in the doldrums for a while and had lost his way, so it means a lot to get him back to win another Grade 1 at Cheltenham.

"You can see how much it means to everyone in the yard. All the girls and Jack Madden who looks after him every day, have done all the hard work with this horse. They have spent day and night trying to get this horse right. He hasn't been scoping clean and it has been hard to get him to scope right – thankfully it has paid off today."

What a finish: Samcro (near side, 9) edges out Melon in a sensational conclusion to the Marsh Novices' ChaseCredit: RaceTech

The leading trainer so far this week added: "Everyone was knocking him when he was in the doldrums – I probably lost a bit of faith in him myself. The horses are flying and all running well, I just can't believe it.

"As you know, we've built a new stable for Samcro and he lives outside. He's had his issues but he was right today and it was job done. Jack said to me this week that he hadn't been this well since the Ballymore [which Samcro won in 2018] and he's looked better every day. It was a great feeling for him to win. Just to have him back is brilliant."

Willie Mullins had to watch yet another Grade 1 slip agonisingly through his fingers, but he is hoping to get Melon back to the festival again next year to have a crack at the Gold Cup.

The trainer said: "He ran a fantastic race. The cheekpieces have definitely helped his jumping as he was gaining lengths with his jumping and on the whole it was very good. Hopefully he might race in the big one [Gold Cup] in the future as he jumps and stays."

What it means: Katie Young, Jack Madden and Camilla Sharples celebrate Samcro's winCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Itchy Feet, the main home team challenger, came down at the fence in front of the stands with over a circuit to run having made an earlier error. It continued a frustrating week for Olly Murphy who also had to watch Brewin'upastorm come down in the Racing Post Arkle.

There will be other days for Murphy for sure, and possibly for Itchy Feet too. Write them off at your peril. Samcro taught us that.

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