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Hardline in dominating form at Wexford

Hardline pops the last well clearHardline pops the last well clear
© Photo Healy Racing

Hardline was friendless among punters in morning trading but that didn't prevent him stretching away to win the two mile maiden hurdle in Wexford.

He improved to challenge Schmidt at the penultimate hurdle and assumed the lead upon touching down.

The 5/2 favourite then readily asserted before the last and eased right away on the run-in for Jack Kennedy to score by 10 lengths.

Schmidt, the market gamble from 8/1 to 4/1, finished second with Mount Hanover (3/1) third.

Gordon Elliott 's assistant trainer Ian Amond said: "He did everything right - he travelled well, jumped well and won easy. He had a few falls last year and hopefully he can kick on from here.

"Looking at him there you would say he has come on for the run at Downpatrick. We will see what comes up for him now."

Jack Kennedy added: "He has plenty of gears. If he learns to settle he could even go up in trip. He is a nice horse."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

1st
5/2Fav
Tote €3.00 €1.70
2nd
10L
4/1
€1.20
3rd
2.25L
3/1
€1.40
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.