On The Fringe© Photo Healy Racing
On The Fringe starts back on the road to defending his Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown crowns in Saturday's Leopardstown Inn Hunters Chase.
Enda Bolger's charge enjoyed a spectacular end to the last campaign, romping home by 17 lengths in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham before scoring over the Grand National fences at Aintree and completing his hat-trick at Punchestown.
He has not been seen in competitive action since last May, however, and Bolger expects the 11-year-old to strip fitter for his comeback run.
He said: "We purposely didn't go to Down Royal (at Christmas) with him as it took him a long time to recover from last year. He's as fit as we can get him but the race will bring him on a bit. We learned a bit about him last year in that he is better in the latter half of the season. The same route as last year has been the plan. He has won the race in Punchestown four times."
On The Fringe will be partnered by Jamie Codd for the first time, with regular rider Nina Carberry sidelined by a back injury suffered in a fall at Clonmel on Thursday.
"Nina tweaked a muscle in her back. She's had back spasms so Jamie Codd is on board for the first time. He has never sat on him, but you wouldn't worry about that with him," said Bolger.
The County Limerick-based trainer also saddles the only mare in the field, Wish Ye Didnt. She makes her first appearance since finishing fourth behind stable companion Josies Orders in a cross-country race at Punchestown last May.
"She is going to come on for the run and will go for the Ladies Cup at Punchestown that she won last season," Bolger said.
You Must Know Me is an intriguing runner for County Fermanagh-based David Christie. The 10-year-old finished sixth in the Topham Chase two years ago for Henry de Bromhead and since switching to Christie has landed a treble in point-to-points, including slamming Carsonstown Boy by 20 lengths at Toomebridge in September.
Christie said: "I heard the Potts (former owners) were going to be selling him and I rang Andrew Lynch and he said he was the horse for me.
"He hasn't a lot of mileage on the clock as he only started racing as a six-year-old. I think he could be the best horse in my hands since Top Twig (won 20 point-to-points in Ireland).
"He got a nail in his foot in November which became infected and caused us nightmares. We struggled to get him ready but he is coming to himself and we might as well go and test him. I'm happy with his fitness but he will improve for the run and be better for it confidence-wise.
"If he gives a good show I would give Cheltenham and Aintree serious consideration. We've been really looking at the Foxhunter since the start. I think the further he goes the better he is. He is a tremendous galloper and stays well."
