Samcro skips Saturday options at Leopardstown Top novice Samcro has not been declared for the two-mile-six-furlong Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, which gets the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival under way at Leopardstown on Saturday. With connections also deciding against an ambitious tilt at the Irish Champion Hurdle, his only remaining engagement this weekend is in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle over two miles on Sunday. In Samcro's absence, trainer Gordon Elliott and owners Gigginstown House Stud rely on Dortmund Park, who steps up to Grade One level following victories in lesser company at Fairyhouse and Thurles. Willie Mullins sends Limerick Grade Two winner Fabulous Saga and Carter McKay into battle. Henry De Bromhead's course scorer Dicey O'Reilly, Jessica Harrington's Jetz, the Noel Meade-trained Moyross and Tower Bridge from Joseph O'Brien's yard complete the line-up. Don't Touch It heads a 20-strong field for the Sandyford Handicap Chase. His rivals include Blast Of Koeman, Tully East and Townshend. The €100,000 Coral Hurdle is as competitive as ever, with Ben Dundee, Mind's Eye, Low Sun and Off You Go among those fancied in a huge line-up of 29 runners. The afternoon comes to a close with the Grade Two Goffs Future Stars (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race. Mullins runs a pair of course-and-distance winners in Minella Encore and Blackbow, Elliott saddles Rapid Escape and Empire Burleque, while Meade is represented by Brace Yourself and former Mullins inmate Village Mystic.
