Legendary veteran set for heroic comeback as punters say ‘the GOAT is back’
PUNTERS have hailed the return of 'the GOAT' as one of racing's most popular yet divisive characters is set to make his return.
Samcro lit up the track when on song, winning ten of his 27 races and amassing prize money of nearly £350,000.
The now 11-year-old won twice at the Cheltenham Festival, landing the 2018 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and then the 2020 Marsh Novices' Chase.
The latter was the finish of that year's Festival, with Samcro fending off late challenges from Melon and Faugheen.
Age crept up on him after three Grade 1 wins, however, and after a tilt at the Grand National in April 2022, his rules career was brought to an end.
The story did not end their, with Samcro heading to compete in point-to-point races six months later.
He ran in three races from October 2022 to November 2022, winning them by a staggering combined 92 lengths.
His return after a year's absence at Tinahely was not quite as numerically impressive, but it shows the fire burns bright.
Samcro is set to run in the Metcollect Oil Recycling Hunters Chase at Down Royal on Boxing Day and punters will be eager to know where he sits in the Hunter Chase pecking order.
One punter said: "the GOAT is back!", while another said "the return we've all wanted to see."
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Samcro is a best-price 9-1 for the Hunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and that price could plummet very shortly.
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