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.