On The Fringe© Photo Healy Racing
Enda Bolger is hopeful leading hunter chaser On The Fringe will have fully recovered from injury in time to compete over the Grand National fences at Aintree in April.
The lightly raced eight-year-old was beaten into fourth when joint-favourite for the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham in 2011 and although he missed the Festival last year, he ran some fine races, signing off with an impressive victory at Punchestown.
Bolger had hoped to see the JP McManus-owned gelding return to Prestbury Park next month, but an injury picked up over the Christmas period means he will not be ready to make the trip across the Irish Sea.
However, the Foxhunters' Chase at Aintree could now be on his agenda.
"He picked up a stress fracture over Christmas and unfortunately that ruled him out of Cheltenham as he won't be ready in time," said Bolger.
"He's back in action now and will hopefully be ready to go in the spring. He could go to Liverpool (Aintree) for the Foxhunters' there and there is Fairyhouse and Punchestown too."
