Might be wrong, but although he was the hype horse, wasn't Samcro a possible for all 3 races until later in the season?
That generally seems to be the case with most horses, as trainers like to leave options open. I'm sure Elliott said speed for 2, but could stay 3 miles etc.
He was smashed in for the ballymore there was no doubt that he was the one they had to slot in round and where he was going from October onwards.
But for the purpose of fairness
After race at*Punchestown Thu, 19th Oct, 2017 (1st)**Job done — we think he's a nice horse. Jack said it was pretty straight-forward and he would have done as much at home on the gallop,. He's relaxed and you could step him up in trip but he's got the pace for that. He's a nice horse, it's hard to know how good he is but we like him and we think the world of him. His bumpers were very good last year. Half-way through his bumpers he looks like he goes to sleep and is lobbing along. I think the day we really saw him was the day with Lisa when she gave him a slap down the shoulder, at Fairyhouse, and he showed the pace he has. He put it to sleep there from the turn-in to the last, he put 15-lengths between them. I don't think he could have done anymore than he did. He'd have to improve again to go to the next level but he looks a nice horse. We have that many of them we have to split them up. It'll be steady steady and he'll have one more run before Christmas I'd imagine. We'll have to look at something like the Royal Bond. I've said it all along I think he's quick enough for two miles and he has the stamina to stay and step out whenever you want. Chasing is going to be his game so we'll try and mind him.**Gordon Elliott
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