Samcro being lined up for festive outing after schooling goes to plan

Gordon Elliott said on Tuesday that Samcro's schooling has gone "really well" since his fall at Fairyhouse and that the seven-year-old's confidence had not been affected by the spill.

Samcro and Fakir D’Oudairies were set to fight out a grandstand finish to the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase but a fall at the second-last deprived racegoers of a thrilling climax.

Elliott now has to decide whether to go to Leopardstown on December 26 for the Racing Post Novice Chase over two miles and a furlong, or to head to the Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase at Limerick on the same day over 2m3½f. There is also the option of stepping up to three miles for the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown three days later.

"Samcro is good," said Elliott. "He's in great form and came out of Fairyhouse well. He’s none the worse for it and who knows what would have happened if he'd stayed up.

"Jack [Kennedy] thought he was cantering, but the fences are there to be jumped and that is the name of the game.

Gordon Elliott: 'We have a few options for Samcro at Christmas'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We've schooled him since Fairyhouse and it went really well. We have a few options at Christmas and I suppose it will depend on what else Gigginstown have for the various races.

"There are the two races at Leopardstown, and the Limerick race is definitely an option too. We are strongly considering it. It would be hard to make a definite decision right now, so we will wait until a bit nearer the time before nailing our colours to one race."

The Savills Chase at Leopardstown on December 28 is the plan for Delta Work, the triple Grade 1 winner who was third in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March, although he missed some work after finishing fourth of five behind Road To Respect in the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Down Royal last month.

"We're hoping to have Delta Work ready for the Savills Chase – that's the plan," Elliott said. "He missed a little bit of time after Down Royal, only a day or two, but is coming along nicely."

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