Ireland's most hyped hurdler Samcro maintained his unbeaten record at Leopardstown today when routing his rivals in the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle, to score a seventh successive win for trainer Gordon Elliott and owner Gigginstown House Stud.

The son of Germany, under regular rider Jack Kennedy, eased to the front rounding the home turn and in the end maintained a clear lead to the line when beating Duc Des Genievres by five and a half lengths.

A relieved and impressed Elliott later said “I'm delighted and Jack gave him a great ride. We can go any road with him now and he's a good horse to have.

“Nothing fazes him at all and he just does what he has to do; he eats, sleeps and drinks — a bit like myself!”

He added “we are lucky to have him and is bought to be a three mile chaser and that is what he is and to be honest he showed a lot of class there today and could be anything.

“Coming today I thought we'd be going for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle (2m5f at Cheltenham) but he could now go for any race, so we'll see. He has loads of options but will definitely go to Cheltenham.

“I wouldn't rule out the Supreme (Novices Hurdle) after that but I'll chat with the lads (O'Learys) and see. I don't know where we'll go to tell you the truth but I would be frightened by Getabird (Willie Mullins trained) — I thought he was very good and think he's a good horse.”

“My horses had been running well without getting a winner so we're delighted now and can enjoy the rest of it.”

What a monster - Samcro wins the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle! @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/zSyqlFSFyl

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 4, 2018

BetfairSportsbook later cut Samcro to even money favourite, from 7/4, for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham and also cut him to 5/1, from 8s, for the Supreme Novices Hurdle.

Quotes from Alan Magee