Samcro all but out of Champion Hurdle picture after another disappointing effort

It would be quite a stretch to suggest Buveur D’air’s eclipse in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton opened the door for would-be takers of his Champion Hurdle crown, but Samcro all but stepped out of the running for that distinction with another disappointing display, this time behind Sharjah in the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle on Saturday afternoon in Leopardstown.

Well backed to win at the third time of asking this season, he jumped quite well and held every chance in the straight but was unable to get past stablemate and pacesetter Tombstone ever before the main challengers arrived.