On The Fringe and Nina Carberry in control at Down Royal© Photo Healy Racing
On The Fringe became the main player in the two miles seven hunters chase at Down Royal as he beat Tammys Hill and Salsify into second and third respectively.
The eight-year-old overcame an injury-enforced absence of 596 days to run out a ready three-length winner at odds of 5/1 for Enda Bolger.
Nina Carberry was on board and she guided On The Fringe into the lead entering the home straight. He kept on well for pressure to hold Tammys Hill (6/4 favourite). Salsify was a further four and a quarter lengths away in third at 3/1.
A delighted Enda Bolger said: “Punchestown 2012 was his last run. He fractured a bone in his hock last year. He’s a bit brittle but is a good horse and his jumping has always been fantastic. We’ll look at Leopardstown and Cheltenham for him.
“JT (McNamara) rode him [on his last appearance in May 2012 when winning the champion hunters chase at Punchestown by 12 lengths] and said we are going to go places with him. He finished fourth in the Foxhunters as a four-year-old but he’ll be better for it now he’s a man.”
