chased leader in 2nd, took closer order from 4th, pushed along and led narrowly before 2 out, soon headed and ridden, slightly impeded from last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
raced in 3rd, took closer order on outer from 3 out and pushed along to challenge before next, soon led and edged slightly right from last, kept on well run-in
led, pushed along from 3 out and headed before next, soon dropped to 3rd, no extra and kept on same pace from last
always in rear, detached from 4 out, tailed off
The brilliant SAMCRO has the Champion Hurdle as his ultimate target this season so will be expected to concede weight here. The only blip in an otherwise unblemished career came when he fell in the Punchestown version of the championship event and Gordon Elliott will have him ready for this. However, Sharjah will be no pushover in receipt of 8lb as he produced a superb effort to win the Galway Hurdle. Bedrock travels over from Scotland as he did when landing a Grade 3 at Tipperary, though he's well held on Galway Hurdle form. Schmidt is out of his depth.
Samcro (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Soon chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd at 6th, closing when fell 3 out, at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Apr.
Bedrock 12-1 (11-7) Raced in 5th, closer in 3rd after 4th and 2nd from 5th, closed up approaching straight travelling smoothly, soon on terms, led before 2 out, quickly asserted, mistake last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct beating Plinth (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sharjah (FR) 8-1 (9-0) Held up, soon raced in 19th, headway on outer straight, kept on same pace without threatening from 2f out, 10th of 24, 9 3/4l behind Brazos (8-12) at Navan 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Schmidt (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders and 4th before 5 out, pushed along in 5th after 3 out, no impression under pressure from next and kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 14, 18 1/4l behind Flaviana (11-5) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f gd in Sep.
