HARDLINE was impressive in winning the Grade 3 Klairon Davis Novice Chase at Navan on Saturday. Gordon Elliott’s horse travelled well for Davy Russell behind a decent pace set by J.J. Slevin on Us And Then. He moved up nicely to join the leader on the run to the second last fence, jumped to the front over that obstacle, pricked his ears on the run to the last, and came clear easily up the run-in.

It was a comprehensive performance by the Gigginstown House horse. It was a nice step forward from his Craddockstown Chase run, when he finished second to Voix Du Reve, as well as being an enhancement of the form of the Craddockstown.

That is a race that has been won by Sizing Europe and Sizing John in recent years, and it will be interesting to see how Voix Du Reve progresses now. It looks like he is on track for a clash with Mengli Khan in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, and we should be a lot wiser after that.