FOXHUNTERS’ IS ON THE LINE FOR THOROUGHBID DUO

Apr 8, 2026

AINTREE’s famous National fences will be put to the test by runners in the prestigious Foxhunters' Chase on Thursday, where there’s an added layer of excitement for the team at ThoroughBid.

The previous two winners of the race, GRACCHUS DE BALME (2025) and ITS ON THE LINE (2024), are both graduates of ThoroughBid’s popular online sales and running again this year.

The betting suggests 2024 champion ITS ON THE LINE, purchased for just £8,000, is ThoroughBid’s most likely chance of a winner. Since being bought for that small fee in 2022, the nine-year-old has amassed over £150,000 in prize money and represents super shrewd trainer Emmet Mullins, who saddled the winner of the Irish National on Easter Monday.

GRACCHUS DE BALME was sold by Joseph O’Brien on ThoroughBid for £12,500 at the July Sale 2024 and has been a revelation since, taking the £24,000 first prize for this race last year as well as the Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters' Chase.

Everyone at ThoroughBid will be watching Thursday’s race with great pride and wishing all connections the very best of luck.

ThoroughBid CEO, James Richardson, said: “It’s super exciting to see both of the last two Aintree Foxhunters’ going back to Liverpool for a shot at glory again. Last year, it was Gracchus De Balme who stole the show, but we can’t write off Its On The Line. Emmet Mullins is a master trainer and it’d be a phenomenal achievement if he were to win it again. We’ll be cheering on both ThoroughBid grads as they take on the National fences again!”