‘Its On The Line’ heading for Hunters Chase again

Its On The Line is set for a fourth crack at the Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase at Cheltenham.

The nine-year-old, owned by JP McManus, has landed major hunter chases at Aintree and Punchestown but has finished second in this race for the past three seasons. He was beaten a neck by Wonderwall last year.

Trainer Emmet Mullins is hoping experience counts this time.

“It’s our fourth attempt, so we’ve been there and know what’s involved. Fingers crossed we can tweak one or two things and get him across the line.”

“It was a good run when he won in Down Royal over Christmas and I think he’s as good as ever, there’s no issues.”

Asked what needs changing, Mullins was blunt.

“Brain cells, I’d say! He just has his own ideas. We tried the cheekpieces but I don’t think they worked and I don’t think he enjoyed them.”

“In Down Royal we employed more forceful tactics, rather than trying to kid him along and keep him on the bridle as long as we can.”

Its On The Line is expected to be one of four or five Mullins runners at the Festival. Backmersackme strengthened his claims with a win at the Dublin Racing Festival and now has options.

“He seems to have come out of the DRF well. Winning over two-mile-five created a few more options for us. We originally thought we couldn’t go far enough with him, so the National Hunt Chase was always the plan.”

“We were always hopeful he had that sort of run in him. We campaigned him highly enough over hurdles and the form was always there, we just hadn’t had our day. We were hoping it was just a matter of time before he put it together.”

“He’ll get plenty of entries, but I’d say we’d be leaning towards the National Hunt Chase.”