On The Fringe and Nina Carberry© Photo Healy Racing
He won it first in 2010 (under John Thomas McNamara) and today On The Fringe (4/5) landed his fifth Racing Post Champion Hunters Chase at Punchestown, as he completed the treble at the big spring Festivals for the second year in succession.
Cheltenham and Aintree were again obviously taken in the eleven-year-old son of Exit To Nowhere's stride, as he was impressive today, with Nina Carberry back aboard.
No more than workmanlike at Cheltenham before showing his true colours at Aintree under Jamie Codd, On The Fringe jumped and travelled like the great horse he is this time.
He stamped his authority on proceedings over the closing couple of fences to see off Marito and Mendip Express by two lengths and three lengths.
"The leaps he gave me, he's the horse of a lifetime. Jumping is his thing and he's all heart as well," enthused Carberry.
"Enda (Bolger, winning trainer) had him in some form. He's the people's horse now and the crowd went mad when he won.
"At least I wasn't injured (suspended when he won at Aintree) and Jamie did a great job on him that day. I'm just delighted to be back on him today."
"It's all down to the horse. He's just a brilliant horse to have around," said Bolger.
"I'm a bit emotional as I always think of John Thomas. He's a special horse for us.
"This is the one the pressure was on but we knew he was bouncing and everyone worked hard to get him here. Let's party now!
"Him and Nina have a great rapport. She knows what to do and they trust each other. His jumping was faultless.
"Full marks to Nina and to Sarah who looks after him at home and to John Thomas who rode him here in his first Champion Hunters."
J P McManus of course owns On The Fringe, and he had two winners earlier on the card too - Jer's Girl (Gavin Cromwell and Barry Geraghty) and No Comment (Philip Hobbs and Jamie Codd).
It's been a great week overall for the 'green and gold,' On The Fringe's win being their eighth of the Festival.
(GC & EM)
