Fringe completes hunter chase clean-sweep

The J.P. McManus owned On The Fringe completed the Festivals hunter chase clean-sweep at Punchestown today, winning the concluding Racing Post Champion Hunters Chase for trainer Enda Bolger and rider Nina Carberry.

The ten year old gelding has been in imperious form in the past few months and, having been thoroughly impressive in winning both the Cheltenham and Aintree Foxhunters, never looked in danger of defeat today.

Sent off the 4/11 favourite, Carberry moved the gelding to the front before the second last and while On The Fringe tired on the run-in, was never in danger of losing out to fast-finishing runner-up Noble Prince

Bolger, whose Gilgamboa supplied him with a Grade 1 win in April, said "€œyou don't know with the meetings so close how well they are but he always gave us the indications that he was in good form all the time.

"€œHe's been an amazing horse this season. I'm thrilled - over the moon.

"The plan is similar for next season. That'll do me. It was a lovely clever ride by Nina.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson