THERE is a new divisional leader on time among the novice hurdlers in the shape of Samcro, who continues to live up to his billing as the most exciting young hurdler around.

His average speed in winning the Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan on Sunday was faster than the two hurdles and one bumper run at the half-mile shorter trip of 16 furlongs on the same card (though there are the usual reservations about the accuracy of race distances).

In slamming Jetz by 12 lengths, I have Samcro running a 148 timefigure, and there looked to be a lot left in the locker, too. That puts him ahead of 145-rated Articulum, though an ability to run a figure in the 150s is likely to be needed come Cheltenham in March.

The fastest time of all over hurdles in the week under review was that of Sam Spinner in winning a Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle at Haydock by 17 lengths. He set a good pace from the outset and gets a 156 timefigure as a result.

The Coral Hurdle at Ascot was one of the better races in the last week but ended up a tactical affair, with relatively fast closing sectionals, and Lil Rockefeller gets just a 108 timefigure from me. I would be more forgiving than most regarding defeats in such a messy race.