WITH the Christmas racing period well and truly analysed, and some key performers labelled and tagged on “the straight to Cheltenham” conveyor belt, this week we have the first set of entries for the three Grade 1 all-aged chases. And it’s a good time to pick a few longer shots before the prices shrink with the non-runner, no bet offers.
One of the novices from last year that I never quite got to grips with was Hardline. Rather amazingly in my book, he went off favourite for the Arkle in a poor renewal. He was a well-beaten seventh though the ground may have been too soft for him. However, despite his fall in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas, he was a very decent second to Min in the John Durkan. There seems little logic that Min is around 6/1 favourite and Hardline can be found in a few places at 33/1.
SHARING OPTIONS: