chased leaders, dropped to rear 7th, 7th 4 out, pushed along and no impression 2 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, 5th and mistake 9th, dropped towards rear before 5 out, behind and pulled up before 4 out
always towards rear, 9th halfway, no impression approaching 4 out, behind and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along in 5th entering straight and no impression in 6th approaching last, no extra
chased leaders, 8th halfway, progress 4 out and went 3rd entering straight, soon ridden and no impression before last, under pressure and kept on run-in
tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, progress to lead 12th, headed 3 out, pushed along and no impression on winner before last, no extra in 3rd run-in
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead 3 out, ridden and 2 lengths clear last, kept on well run-in
led, jumped left, headed 12th, jumped left 3 out and dropped to 6th, no impression in 5th before last, kept on one pace
towards rear, mistake 1st, ran freely, 7th halfway, progress in 4th 4 out, pushed along entering straight and no extra approaching last, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 4th halfway, lost place 12th, ridden and no extra after next, behind and pulled up before 3 out
This looks like another lap of honour for ON THE FRINGE, who has won it four times since 2010 and, like last year, arrives on the back of championship victories at Cheltenham and Aintree. Enda Bolger's brilliant hunter only had a neck to spare over Marito at Cheltenham but appeared to have a bit in hand and should confirm the form. Paint The Clouds was a close third and staying on at the finish and Warren Greatrex must believe he has a chance of reversing the form so he has to be respected. Aupcharlie is another to take out of the Cheltenham event as he didn't get the best of runs but was beaten only four lengths. He'd beaten Marito narrowly between the flags earlier and should get into the frame. Salsify has won this twice in recent years and is another top-class hunter, though he's probably somewhere short of his championship form nowadays.
Aupcharlie (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, switched inside and effort last, one pace flat, 6th of 24, 4 1/4l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gd in Mar.
Clancy Strand (NZ) 4-1 (11-10) Cl 2nd till jnd ldr & wo 2nd, jnd & hdd apr 4out, re-jnd ldr apr str, not match wnr from 2out, ko, 2nd of 3, 12l behind Luska Lad (11-10) at Borris House 3m hvy in Mar.
Dantes King (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Towards rear, slight mistake 7th, improved briefly to chase leaders before 6 out, progress in 5th entering straight, closer in 3rd 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, soon clear, slow and jumped left last, headed run-in and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Sydney Paget (11-6) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f Yielding in Mar.
Dineur (FR) 50-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, went 3rd from 15th, led 2 out, headed before elbow, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 22, 8l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Marito (GER) 14-1 (12-0) Towards rear, headway on outside 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and stayed on to chase winner closing stages, just held, 2nd of 24, nk behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gd in Mar.
Mendip Express (IRE) 11-1 (12-0) In touch, mistake 14th, went 4th before 2 out, in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 22, 9 1/4l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
On The Fringe (IRE) 15-8fav (12-0) Always handy, went 2nd from 13th (valentines), challenged 2 out on bit, led before elbow, soon shaken up, ran on well, won at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr beating Dineur (12-0) by 8l, 22 ran.
Paint The Clouds 9-2 (12-0) Chased leadrs on inside, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, switched right and ran on flat, finished well to take 3rd towards finish, not reach front pair, 3rd of 24, 1 1/4l behind On The Fringe (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gd in Mar.
Salsify (IRE) 1-6fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led 3rd, inclined to jump slightly left, joined 3 out, soon under pressure, gained narrow lead and stayed on best run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f hvy in Mar beating Character Actor (11-8) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Miss Coley (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chsd dlrs, mstk 5th 3rd 1/2way, rdn in 6l 3rd 4out, eased & pu 3out, at Tattersalls Farm 3m hvy in Dec.
Gonebeyondrecall (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Disputed early, led 3rd, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, 14th of 20, dist behind Aranhill Chief (10-2) at Galway 2m 6f hcp gd in Aug.
