Samcro made a successful jumping debut with a scintillating performance in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday.

It was one of six Gordon Elliott-trained winners on the card - the other two races going to horses trained by Noel Meade.

Unbeaten in a point-to-point and three bumpers, big things are expected of the five-year-old Samcro and he didn't disappoint.

The 1/5 favourite tracked Jack Dillinger to the home turn before Jack Kennedy pressed the button and Samcro quickly put the race to bed, with a spring-heeled leap at the last helping him on his way to a 15-length defeat of Mind's Eye.

"Job done - we think he's a nice horse. Jack said it was pretty straightforward and he would have done as much at home on the gallop," said Elliott.

"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. Halfway 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 (O'Neill) 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 any more 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."

DUTY CALLS

The Elliott-trained Death Duty made it two from two over fences in the Buck House Novice Chase.

A Grade 1-winning hurdler last season, he was the 4/9 favourite to follow up his fencing debut success at Tipperary little over a fortnight ago and did so in good style under Davy Russell, beating Tout Est Permis by 11 lengths.

"He's a lovely horse. I didn't learn a lot from Tipperary as he was doing it so easy, but we learnt a lot more about him today. You'd have to be pleased. It's a pleasure to be riding these horses," said Russell.

"He's got an awful lot of pace, but time will tell where he goes. This won't be his biggest test for the year, so we'll have to find out a bit more."

Elliott said: "I've always thought the world of this horse. Last year I was of the opinion that he probably wanted three miles, but I'd say I might have been wrong, to be honest. He wasn't right in Cheltenham so, look, we'll put a line through last year.

"He was always bought to be a chaser and chasing is his game. He's a horse to look forward to. I'd say he'll go for the Drinmore (at Fairyhouse) now and I'd say he'll go straight there."

Having also struck with Pallasator in the charity race, and Ben Dundee in the handicap hurdle, Elliott went on to make it six wins on the day when King's Song won the handicap chase and Felix Desjy landed the bumper.

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