The return of Samcro to the Down Royal

Gordon Elliott has announced he is likely to send his superstar in Samcro to Down Royal in early November as his season preparations get underway. He admitted he spent most of the summer figuring outThere are occasions when we here at ReadyBetGo want to bring you interesting facts about the gambling industry  When something catches our eye, we will publish it for your enjoyment.  his route for the campaign ahead.

Samcro's jockey, Davy Russell, described him in 2017 "as good a horse as we'll ever see". He wasn't wrong, either.

Samcro won his first seven races before Elliott decided to send him to compete in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018. Samcro headed the market that day at 8/11 and duly obliged, seeing off Tom George's Black Op by almost three lengths.

There were plenty of punters opposing Samcro beforehand, due to him never running over 2 miles 5 furlongs before, but Elliott clearly knew what he was doing.

“I’ve never had a Champion Hurdle horse before, and Gigginstown have yet to win it." - Gordon Elliott confirms Samcro will stay over hurdles this season.

Right decision? https://t.co/1mqhsg6pk5 pic.twitter.com/81b0y5k3oh

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 29, 2018

A month after the Cheltenham Festival, Samcro headed to Punchestown to compete in the Champion Hurdle, but a shock fall three out for the odds-on favourite saw him lose his unbeaten run. His campaign was cut short after Samcro was found to be suffering from a lung infection and needed time to recuperate.

Samcro returned in November 2018, 189 days since his fall at Punchestown. But the seven-year-old wasn't able to put that run behind him and clearly still needed to blow away a few cobwebs, finishing second as the 4/9 favourite.

Iain Jardine's Bedrock scampered clear by almost two lengths on that occasion before moving to Leslie Young's yard in July 2019.

Samcro, now facing critics, returned to action in December to compete in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle's track. But once again, Elliott's horse was undone as the favourite, losing by no less than eight lengths to Nicky Henderson's ever-impressive Buveur D'Air.

'No excuses. He's been beaten by a very, very good horse' - Elliott full of praise for Buveur D'Air after Samcro is brushed aside > https://t.co/YE1An8lLAT pic.twitter.com/F5oY1qSeeA

— Racing Post (@RacingPost) December 2, 2018

His last run has been his biggest disappointment of all, finishing fifth at Leopardstown, only beating one rival in the process.

In fairness, Samcro was beaten by some top-quality horses on that occasion. Melon, who finished in fourth at Leopardstown, went on to finish second in the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham in 2019.

John Harrington's Supasundae got the better of Buveur D'Air at Aintree, while the winner at Leopardstown that day, Willie Mullins' Sharjah, had just previously beaten Faugheen at Punchestown in the Morgiana Hurdle.

So, after such a disappointing campaign when last seen, can Samcro get back to his best? Elliott's superstar should be coming into his prime at the ripe age of seven, so there may well be more to come this time around. Only time will tell, but Samcro can certainly be considered as one to watch in the upcoming horse racing betting over the next few months.

Elliott's plan is to switch things up, move Samcro away from hurdles and send him chasing. Admitting he has been very happy with him back home, Elliott admitted: "he has always looked like a chase and all is good with him at present."

Many critics would have liked to have seen Samcro go chasing last campaign when something was clearly amiss. However, you would have to be a fool to write off Elliott's superstar before his chase debut. Only time will tell if Samcro can recapture his old form.