Samcro '50-50' to run in Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown

Samcro's participation in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday was described by trainer Gordon Elliott as "50-50'' on Saturday afternoon.

Samcro '50-50' to run in Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown

Samcro's participation in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday was described by trainer Gordon Elliott as "50-50'' on Saturday afternoon.

The Grade One contest has been much-anticipated all week, as it due to feature a showdown between Elliott's star and the Willie Mullins-trained Faugheen, not to mention Supasundae.

However, Elliott has been at pains all week to stress his runner would need a suitable ease in the ground to take his chance, and that remains the case.

Talking at the track after arriving following a flight from England, he said: "I'm nervous enough and I'd be 50-50 about whether I would run him. I'll walk it again in the morning.

"There was a lot of drying there today - it's tricky enough.

"You can't blame the racecourse either, it's the way the weather is. Watering it isn't ideal.

"I'll see - I'm not quite sure. I'd love to run him, but I'm not going to take a chance."

Connections of Supasundae are happy with his condition ahead of his reappearance.

His last seven runs have all been in Grade One company and he has not been out of the first three, winning the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Punchestown Champion Hurdle when last seen.

To prove his versatility, Jessica Harrington's eight-year-old also finished second in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham over three miles, and he is set to mix and match this season, too.

"Supadsundae has come back very well from his summer break and we're very happy with him ahead of Sunday's race," said Kate Harrington, assistant to her mother.

"He had a gallop after racing at Naas on Saturday and he is as fit as we would expect him to be without a run at this time of year. Last season he was unbeaten over two miles and ended up by winning the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown and it is a track he likes.

"He's so versatile that we'll probably mix it up with him again and possibly go for the Hatton's Grace after this and then back up to three miles, but he is a horse that just gives everything on the day so we are looking forward to seeing him out again on Sunday."

PA

more courts articles

DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers
UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules
Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London

More in this section

Salvator Mundi revels in class of his own at Tipperary Salvator Mundi revels in class of his own at Tipperary
Leopardstown Christmas Festival - Day Three - Leopardstown Racecourse Irish preview: Lieber Nicc can celebrate return in style at Clonmel
Ancient Wisdom file photo Big-race ambitions on trial in Dante Stakes
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited