HE never makes life totally easy for himself, but Its On The Line is a ridiculously tough nut to crack around Punchestown and made it three consecutive wins in the Event Power Champion Hunters Chase under his old ally Derek O’Connor. He became the first horse to do so since hunter chase legend On The Fringe.
Also second at three Cheltenham Festivals in a row, the J.P. McManus-owned stalwart was again delivered in terrific shape by Emmet Mullins to collect as the 11/10 favourite.
With Paul and Olive Nicholls’ Viroflay putting their rivals to the sword from the front, nothing was able to get into the race at the business end other than the winner, who didn’t do much in front at all once getting on terms but still managed to prevail by three and a quarter lengths. The gap back to the third, Hollow Games, was 35 lengths.
Mullins, who notched a double across the opening four races, said: “He’s a great horse to bring here every year and to turn up at these big spring festivals with him is fair ammo to have. We owe him a lot. It was a truly-run race and Derek said it burned off most going away from the stands and racing down the hill.
“It’s great he’s holding a bit back every time and we’ll just keep it for next year. Fingers crossed there’s plenty left in him.”
Mullins double
The Grand National-winning trainer’s other winner on the card was much more difficult to find. Sea Music, sent off at a tidy 28/1, posted by far the best performance of his career under Donagh Meyler to take out the €100,000 QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase for owner Annette Mee.
Having unseated at the first at Wexford last time on his return from a break, there were no such dramas here, and he pulled out generously to get the better of well-backed 4/1 favourite Blizzard Of Oz by a head.
IAN McCarthy cut a most relieved figure after pulling off a year-long plan with expert precision in the Stanley Asphalt Hunters Chase for the Bishopscourt Cup, as Fountain House delighted his supporters at even-money in a terrific one-three for the stable.
Eoin Mahon has struck up a mighty partnership with the Nicola McCarthy-owned seven-year-old, and found plenty for pressure in the straight. After a decent tussle, he pulled three and a quarter lengths clear of stablemate Eyes Off Annie, who only tired late on to be third when 25/1 shot Squire Ohara ran on to be second.
“I had breeze-up horses selling yesterday and another couple next week. Obviously that’s a big investment but I was never as nervous in my life as I was coming in here this morning,” said McCarthy.
“It’s just brilliant that it came off. Fountain House was second in the Ladies Cup here last year and it’s been my plan since to come back and win this race; there’s great history behind it. I’m a Galway man originally but am based 25 minutes away. This horse has brought so much joy to us as a family.”
Easy for Dinoblue
The most straightforward race for favourite backers across the entire meeting came in the Grade 2 Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase as 4/7 hotpot Dinoblue, trained by Willie Mullins, simply coasted home by 35 lengths to beat just two finishers.
Allegorie De Vassy, set to retire while in-foal to Jukebox Jury, tried to take the Cheltenham Festival winner out of her comfort zone on the front end but couldn’t maintain her effort and was a beaten docket before the turn in.
The €80,000 success continued a marvellous week for J.P. McManus, taking him to eight winners for the meeting, while Mark Walsh notched his fourth.
McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “She’s a great bit of stuff - you could set your clock by her everyday. She jumped great and is just a pleasure to have around. She never lets you down.
“I’d say this has been her best year and she’s better than ever. She’ll have another season and will stick to those mares races. There’s a good mares’ programme there and it suits her well.”