DESPITE having been fortunate enough to lead up a number of previous winners at the Cheltenham Festival, I got particular satisfaction from seeing Samcro win the Marsh Novices Chase last week. The horse had been written off by many people, so to see him return to form on the day that mattered, gave us all at Gordon Elliott’s a real sense of pride.

My father worked with horses, so I have been around them from as early as I can recall. He was a stable groom in Kevin Prendergast’s on the Curragh. I started going in and out from the age of 10 and worked evenings and weekends from the age of 12 onwards.

Having left school at 13, I spent a year and a half full-time with Frank Ennis who was very good to me. After a chance meeting with trainer Eddie Creighton at the Curragh, I was on my way to Spain at just 14.

The latter was based at Mijas racecourse just outside Fuengirola, so I went over to work at his yard.

It was a very different experience over there, with trotting races taking place on an inside track, in between the flat races.

After seven months with Eddie, I came home to Kildare. Some mates of mine had started working with Frances Crowley, who had just relocated to the Curragh, so I went and got a job there too.

It was a great experience working for Frances as I got to travel to Nad Al Sheba with horses such as Kay Two and Blue Corrig [for her father Joe].

I rode those horses out on the track and looked after them during their time over in Dubai. I then spent a year with Caroline Hutchinson before moving down to Willie Mullins.

I looked after Sir Des Champs from his first day in the yard, leading him up when he won at Cheltenham and Punchestown.

Like at Frances Crowley’s, I got to see a lot of the world travelling horses, particularly Simenon, who I accompanied to Hong Kong, Japan, Australia [Melboune Cup] and all over Britain.

I often tell people I was the first man to ride Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham; technically at least that much is true! I went over with the horse on the Saturday before he ran and rode him out on the track on the Sunday morning. I also rode out Quevega at home on occasions.

I went to Gordon Elliott in 2017, with Samcro being one of the first horses I looked after.

He had already won on his racecourse debut but I was asked to lead him up on his second start.

I have looked after the horse at home ever since. We have enjoyed some great days over the last three seasons but some disappointing times as well.

He was unbeaten in his bumper season then remained unbeaten in novice hurdles the following campaign including winning at Cheltenham.

However, he fell when asked to take on the older horses in his final race at Punchestown. I felt that he was just getting going in that latter race but was found out jumping at pace against the more experienced older hurdlers.

Written off

Last season, it just never really worked out for Samcro but horses aren’t robots so it just has to be written off. He had been working very well at home before his chasing debut at Down Royal so we weren’t surprised that that he won easily.

People are divided about Samcro’s next start at Fairyhouse where he fell in a Grade 1 chase. Many believe that he was going to win at the time of his fall, while others feel he was beaten. I am unsure, to be totally honest.

At the same time, I expected him to go close on his next start at Limerick, so when he failed to perform we were all disappointed.

However, Gordon got his wind done in the aftermath of that defeat and we went to Chelteham with a reasonable degree of confidence.

Shane McCann who rides the horse out every day knows him better than anyone and he felt he was back to his best. I told anyone that asked me that we expected him to go close and that was the honest feeling we had in the yard.

I thought if he jumped well and got into a rhythm whatever beat him would win. Thankfully it all worked out on the day and we saw the real Samcro.

Looking ahead to next season, I’d love to see him step up in trip as we have always felt that he could be a genuine Gold Cup horse.