Verdict

Enda Bolger looks to hold all the aces here with ON THE FRINGE, who started favourite for the Foxhunter at Cheltenham but could only finish fourth. He'd completed a hat-trick in this race last year after two victories between the flags and is much more progressive than his likely main rivals. They include Vic Venturi, twice a point-to-point winner recently and runner-up in a Grade 1 on his last start under Rules, and Viking Splash, who has been placed behind two decent performers at this level recently. Salsify wasn't at his best at Thurles last time but he's useful in this grade and can bounce back while the decent stayer Parsons Pistol will be better for a recent run, his first since last January.

Formwatch

Carsonstown Boy (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, 3rd halfway, improved to narrow lead 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed next, kept on from last, all out close home, just held on, won at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs hvy in Dec beating Not Before Eight (11-6) by ns, 18 ran.

Johnnyofcourse (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Ww, steady prog 3out, rdn to chall aftr 2out, no ex late, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Tammys Hill (12-0) at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp gs in Nov.

Kilcrea Castle (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, chllgnd 2out, no extra in 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Vic Venturi (12-0) at Kilfeacle 3m ire ptp sft in Jan.

Newbay Prop (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Tr ldrs, cl 4th 3out, not qckn bef last, 4th of 6, 7l behind Vic Venturi (12-0) at Ballinaboola 3m ire ptp hvy in Jan.

Northern Alliance (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Raced 3rd, 2nd halfway, ridden along in 3rd after 4 out, left moderate 2nd when hampered 2 out, soon dropped to moderate 3rd, no extra, 3rd of 6, 19l behind In Compliance (11-3) at Thurles 2m 2f chs 0-145 hvy in Feb '11.

Not Before Eight (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Soon mid-division, moderate 5th approaching 4 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 36l behind Merchant Royal (12-0) at Thurles 3m hts chs sft in Jan.

On The Fringe (IRE) 3-1fav (12-0) Held up mid-division, hampered 9th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon outpaced, left moderate 3rd 2 out until after last, weakened flat, 4th of 24, 28l behind Zemsky (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gd in Mar.

Oscar Delta (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Mid div, prog 1/2way, 5th 3out, further prog 2out, 2nd at last, no ch with wnr over 100 yards out, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Perce Rock (12-0) at Dungarvan 3m ire ptp gd in Jan.

Parsons Pistol (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Rcd 3rd/4th, on terms 4out, not qckn aftr 3out, ko, 4th of 13, 8l behind Backstage (12-0) at Ballydarragh 3m ire ptp.

Perce Rock 9-2 (12-0) Ld/disp until 2nd from 7th, lft in ld 6out, 2l adv bef 3out & chall 2out, row & went clr flat, won at Dungarvan 3m ire ptp gd in Jan beating Oscar Delta (12-0) by 2l, 17 ran.

Saddlers Storm (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in close 5th 3 out, no extra in 4th last, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 5l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs hvy in Dec.

Salsify (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Waited with towards rear, improved to chase leaders from before 7 out, plenty to do when mistake 5 out, moderate 4th before next, soon no extra and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Merchant Royal (12-0) at Thurles 3m hts chs sft in Jan, 13 ran.

Tammys Hill (IRE) 5-4 (12-0) Ww early, prog to ldrs 1/2 way, went 2nd 3out, ld 2out, sn in command, impsve, won at Tyrella 3m ire ptp in Jan beating Nedzer's Return (12-0) by 12l, 11 ran.

The Tother One (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 7 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 36l behind Merchant Royal (12-0) at Thurles 3m hts chs sft in Jan.

Vic Venturi (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Prominent, 2nd when reminders after 6th, pushed along and dropped to 4th after 5 out, no impression under pressure early straight, went moderate 3rd after 2 out, left 2nd after last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Follow The Plan (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gd in May.

Viking Splash (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Soon led, clear at stages, slow jump 7th, headed approaching 4 out, struggling in 3rd before straight, went 2nd under pressure last, every chance run-in, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Merchant Royal (12-0) at Thurles 3m hts chs sft in Jan.

Wild Salmon (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Boxer Georg (12-0) at Clonmel 2m 4f hts chs hvy, 14 ran.