I believe connections have been proven right more often than the writers on this site which is easy proved. Its also refreshing and humble of them to endorse the greatness of the victor.

A yard full of greats in Co Meath and as he is a gelding there is no stud value hyping Samcro up, not like Aidan O Brien. Lets hope he stays sound because lots of people here insulting connections.

I really do not care a jot what has happened in the past re connections decisions on where to run a horse,not when talking about the subject here...Samcro,the past has nowt to do with him.
We all know connections can get it wrong at times,and will get it right more often.
I happen to think, based on what I have seen, that Samcro is not a 2m Hurdler at the top level.
Connections seem to think he can be.
If that's insulting them so be it, personally I think its just me disagreeing with them on the evidence I have seen on the track.

As for Samcro being special,we just have different ways of how a horse becomes special it seems.
No need for the aint got a clue about racing comment imo.
You think winning the Ballymore makes him special,i don't.
If he were to win some serious races at the senior level I will alter my view.

Well that would make sense I would think.
Nowt wrong with winning the Stayers hurdle.
People loved Inglis Drever and Big Bucks.....now they were special

Well it is an option if they are thinking of stepping up in distance, although to be honest I aint convinced he would get 3m well enough at this stage.

Looks like the silly season is back with regard to specific or optimum distances.

If Buveur D'air had stood on a nail on Saturday morning and missed the race then Samcro would have slammed Vision De Flos and Summerville Boy by 13/14 lengths. These were 2 of the top 2 mile novice hurdlers from last year. Now I accept that Summerville Boy probably didn't run his race but would anybody now be saying that Samcro isn't a 2 miler? This was Samcro's best ever performance over any trip. The fact is he's a good horse but ridiculously over-hyped and as of now he's a million miles away from being a superstar and his rating of 160(ish) is bang on the money.

BD would have run away from him over any trip so you could say that Samcro's optimum trip is whatever trip BD is not running over.

I'll be very surprised if Samcro doesn't run in the Champion Hurdle - why the hell not - and I'll be surprised if he finishes in the top 3 but racing is full of surprises. We get them every single day.

Apples Jade was unbelievable yesterday. I did't think we could see a better performance than BD 24 hours earlier but what she did was off the charts. And to think she's still just 6. Seems like she's been around forever. She is Gigginstown's best chance of winning the Champion Hurdle if they go that route.

Apples Jade was great but what were the other jockeys doing?
Gifting her an 8 length lead, and making no effort to close until the home straight. Particularly Supersundae, who was miles off the pace before getting going fat too late. She's an absolutely top mare but I think a literal reading of Sunday's race flatters her.

Personally I don't feel I'm being critical of Samcro, just think he'd be better off chasing. When asked if Apples Jade would be routed to the champion hurdle the trainer said it would be the mares' race because he's a great believer in putting a horse in the race where it has the best chance of winning. Just the day before he said Samcro would stick to the champion hurdle because although he didn't think he could beat Buveur D'Air it's nice to be involved in a race featuring a good horse that should be appreciated. How do you reconcile those sentiments?
a) The O'Learys are forcing his hand
b) He's not convinced Samcro would make a better chaser than a hurdler
c) The O'Learys are forcing his hand

This beast is entered in virtually all the big races over hurdles and fences at Cheltenham except 4m; he's even in The Arkle despite being thumped by Buveur D'Air last saturday.

His next race could be the Long Walk Hurdle over 3m at Ascot on 22nd Dec.

Don't know about that myself, Blake is outspoken and has been very vocal for instance with regards to Apples Jade and how she should be running in the CH, could see lots of aggro regarding race planning as time went on, don't think that stable would suit O'leary, i.e. simply rolling over.

Yes, just Like Annie Power.

There will be plenty of debate on this subject right up to Cheltenham, however, the reason I brought it up was in response to the suggestion that Joseph O'Brien would be a good fit for Gigginstown should Elliot ever step out of line and how I didn't think it would be.

Erm, apple's jade isn't just like Annie Power.

I think Samcro at 15/8 and certain runner (all things being equal) against Melon (3/1) and Laurina (7/2), surely this must be value given he was fav against Buveur D'Air, and the uncertainty regarding the other two; I'm just waiting for nrnb.

I'm backing Melon tomorrow.

He'll have to win tomorrow otherwise a forlorn hope for the Champion Hurdle (CH). But I do not think result will have a significant impact on the CH betting. And Buveur D'Air is a more backable price after yesterday's setback.

behind the winner that is

The only race I could consider backing him in now would be the stayers, if he went chasing now the hype machine would once again kick into overdrive but it's too late and I couldn't touch him.

I don't understand why he keeps going off favourite. Is it really weight of money or are the bookies creating a false fav to lure punters in?

I think he went 1.22 (in-running) just after jumping into the lead and xpected to pull away for a easy win; 2m is clearly too short for him nevertheless, I think he ran below par. Maybe a good rest could be prudent, and wait for Aintree Ryanair Hurdle or a small race over fences just prior.

Ironically amid all the negativity I think the horse's reputation is being enhanced when you look at it in the context of a 3 mile chaser because at the 2 mile distance his class is such that he can travel comfortably through the race but does get found out when he needs to quicken.

I think he's a 3 mile chaser through and through and a GC contender in due course and when you look back through the prism of a staying chaser at how he could lay up with the likes of BD and the best of the rest CH horses around I think that shows just how classy he is.

We all can see his limitations over 2 miles when the pace quickens  against the best, but for a 3 mile staying chaser to have performed as he has, it's actually enhancing his reputation.

Go back as far as you like and consider what Gold Cup winner could have performed as well as he has over a 2 mile trip in Grade 1 company.

He couldn't really go chasing this season now I suppose but I'd be strongly fancying him to fulfill his potential over fences when he gets a proper run at it.