Hardline & Jack Kennedy © Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy continued in unstoppable form as Hardline gave them a treble on the card at Clonmel today.
The five-year-old was also the third winner on the card for owners Gigginstown as he ran out an effortless winner of the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Hurdle.
Following his stable-mate Roaring Bull's defection from the two-mile contest the Arcadio gelding was a warm order and went to post a 1/3 shot.
He took over from veteran Flemenstar going to the second last and popped the final flight to record an easy 12-length win.
"He has improved a lot and is settling and doing everything well. We'll try and find something similar again but chasing is what he is bought to be and that'll be his game,” said Elliott.
"That's 99 for the season - I won't be here if we win the last as I'm flying out to England now but it is a credit to the owners and the staff whenever we get it (100)."
Elliott is marginally behind last season's tally having reached 100 on November 12 2016 and added "I aim for 100 every year so hopefully I'll have one more winner before the end of the season."
Regarding being Champion Trainer this season, he quipped "no chance!"
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
