Hardback (left) coming through to win at Leopardstown over Christmas© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien recently nominated the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Hardback as one that will contest some good handicap hurdles after his Leopardstown Christmas win.
A consistent type, the Morozov gelding was aided by a first-time tongue-tie and better ground when scoring at the Foxrock venue last month.
Bred at Blackhall Stud in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Hardback was according to those that started him off, "a nice type from the early days," and he is now beginning to fulfil his potential.
"My father (Andy) bred Hardback. He looks good and he was impressive enough at Leopardstown last time," said trainer Paul Pierce.
"He just didn't want to get beat. Things went wrong for him throughout the race - he got a bit caught in traffic and he missed the last a little bit, but he fought it out well on the run-in.
"He was sold from here as a three-year-old.
"We won three point-to-points with his half-brother Laser Hawk.
"Hardback wouldn't be massive. He went to Gordon Elliott first and he unseated at the last in a point-to-point when still in with a chance.
"He was on the sidelines for a while then. I could see him winning a decent hurdle - he's built for that game, even though his sire Morozov would be more associated with producing chasers.
"His pedigree would be chasing-orientated too, and Joseph has said that he'll jump a fence down the line."
