He is, quite simply, the most hyped horse since Golden Cygnet. It is just as well Gordon Elliott’s Samcro isn’t human, because, if he was, the weight of expectation might overwhelm him, writes Pat Keane.

Not too many trainers can be chasing Cheltenham festival glory 41 years after enjoying their initial success at the meeting.

Tom Madden, so impressive when winning on Mahrajaan on Wednesday, did it again at Listowel yesterday when landing the featured Guinness Handicap on bottom weight Shalamzar for the Tony Martin yard.