THERE have been mixed messages about the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham – won by the much-lauded Samcro – since it took place.

Scarpeta and Duc Des Genievres (fourth and fifth at Cheltenham) let the form down somewhat when beaten further into third and fifth by Pallasator in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse. But Black Op went one better when winning the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle and sixth-placed Vision Des Flos went four better when second to Lalor in the Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle, both at Aintree.