Staying hurdles campaign on the cards for Mouse Morris ace Sams Profile

Dual Grade 1 runner-up Sams Profile looks set to stay hurdling this season, with Mouse Morris believing his promising youngster can mature with another year over the smaller obstacles, potentially tackling the staying division.

The imposing Black Sam Bellamy five-year-old marked himself out as a highly promising prospect when chasing home Battleoverdoyen in the Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle in January before running creditably in defeat at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing fifth to City Island in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

Despite having the physical makings of a chaser, Morris says his Punchestown festival runner-up, who was previously narrowly defeated by dual Grade 1 scorer Reserve Tank, could be best served by swerving a potentially red-hot novice chase division this season.

Sams Profile chased home Reserve Tank in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown festivalCredit: Patrick McCann

"I haven't decided for definite, but it looks as though we'll be staying over hurdles this season," said the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer. "Especially considering all the novice chasers coming out this time around."

The Michael and John O'Flynn-owned performer will be given time to develop before his next start, likely towards the end of 2019.

Morris said: "We could go up in trip to try him as a staying hurdler. He's a bit behind, but seems grand. He's just so big that he's slightly backward still, and it'll be Christmas before he's out."

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