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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- On The Fringe easy winner of Foxhunter
On The Fringe easy winner of Foxhunter
On The Fringe and Nina Carberry
© Photo Healy Racing
On The Fringe stormed clear in the closing stages to run out an impressive victor of the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.
Nina Carberry was content to bide her time for most of the extended three-and-a-quarter-mile trip as Carsonstown Boy helped set the pace, until bringing the Enda Bolger-trained 10-year-old into contention two out.
Once Carberry pressed the button the race was as good as over, with On The Fringe (6-1), owned by J P McManus, putting daylight between himself and the opposition.
He galloped to glory by 17 lengths from Following Dreams (50-1). Paint The Clouds the 11-4 favourite, was another neck away.
Carberry said: "I'm so pleased for Enda and everyone, JT (McNamara) always believed in him and always said he would win this.
"He was so impressive today and showed us what he could do.
"I'm so pleased Enda and JP (McManus) let me back on him as I'm at Aidan O'Brien's now so I can't ride at Enda's as much as I used to."
Bolger said: "That was great, he's been threatening to do that but I wasn't expecting that kind of performance.
"He ran a great race at Leopardstown last time when he was just beaten by Prince De Beauchene, who is far from a hunter chaser.
"That was a good yardstick, he's gone and done it today and everyone is happy.
"If everything is fine we'll go to Liverpool."
Carberry added: "Last year there was something wrong with him and he finished very tired.
"I always knew he had the ability and Enda had him spot on today.
"I was happy all the way, tracked Paint The Clouds and we just got into a rhythm.
"He's proved everyone right now."