Image © Healy Racing
Its On The Line, ante-post favourite for the St. James’s Place Hunter Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, will continue his build-up to that assignment when he bids to win consecutive editions of the QuinnBet Hunter Chase on Saturday.
The eight-year-old thwarted Billaway’s bid to win that Naas contest for a fifth straight year when he clung on to victory by just a head in the 2024 edition, and now 12 months on, he will face a field of eight rivals.
Reunited with the in-form Derek O’Connor for the first time since the pair rounded off last season by winning the Champion Hunter Chase at Punchestown for a second time, the Presenting gelding will have to overturn a defeat at the hands of his Down Royal conqueror, Big Interest, if he is to secure an eighth victory under rules.
David Christie’s exciting prospect emerged as a new name within the division at Christmas, when he became the first five-year-old to win the Down Royal Hunter Chase in the past two decades, making much of the running on just his third career start, and first under rules, to defeat last season’s Aintree Foxhunters winner by four and three-quarter lengths.
Barry O’Neill’s mount had won his maiden at Castlelands for Sean Doyle, before being purchased by his new owner Ray Nicholas for £60,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival sale.
As the sole six-year-old in the line-up, Big Interest is half the age of race regular Annamix, who will be contesting the QuinnBet Hunter Chase for a third consecutive year, but a first under the care of Sonny Carey.
His former owner, Patrick Mullins, remains in the saddle aboard last year’s Tetretema victor, and his cousin, Charlie Mullins, will line up in opposition aboard Ontheropes.
The former Munster National winner made a successful first outing for the rider’s father Tom when they defeated Grange Island in a Carrigarostig open last month.
Cork Hunter Chase winner Ryehill, and the Champion Hunter Chase runner-up Lonesome Boatman are other interesting contenders, whilst the line-up is completed by Arverne, King Alex and Balkito.
