Morning All On The Fringe is back out today at Leopardstown - this was the big talking horse last year and I doubt I was the only one that got taken in by the chat that said he'd win last years Foxhunters by a mile then double up with this years Gold Cup. What do people think of his current quote of 7/1 for this years renewal ? I'm thinking that he's a year older and stronger and probably better placed for this race, he needs decent ground and a good gallop to bring his stamina into place, both of which he should get, an impressive win today and he could be 3/1, so is anyone else tempted to snap up the 7s now ?
Interesting shout and one of the more interesting horses for this seasons renewal. I think we may see a weak race this year with the last two winners ruled out with injuries. I thought On The Fringe was given a strange ride in the race last year and wasn't allowed to save energy for the hill, and that cost him a place in the end. He surely has to be up to running to the same sort of form this season, and that alone would make the 7/1 look a fair EW price. If he wins today he will be shorter, if he wins well he will be the jolly on the day IMO I have a little doubt about his wellbeing and stamina and that is enough for me to leave him at the moment, something I may regret on Gold Cup day.
I fancied him strongly too in last years Foxhunters but unless he performed below par on the day I suspect that he just lacks the tactical speed need for Cheltenham on soundish ground. He looks a reasonable bet in todays race though but, win or lose today, I'd not be backing him for the Festival unless it turns up soft.
Grizz...have tipped him up on the daily thread and just seen this. My only ante post bet for the festival is on him...like him a lot and could be better than the usual types that contest hunter chases.
Not so sure now Dex - though I wasn't massively disappointed with his performance today. He jumped very well (which wasn't the cast at Chelt) and got caught behind a wall of horses at the end of the back straight, managed to find some room and got up the inside but found no extra on the run in when coming there with every chance. What I don't know is how tuned up he was today, as far as I'm aware he hasn't had a PTP so today his first run of the season, there could be improvement in him, but if he's to be competitive in March there needs to be....
Couldn't have had a worse run through the race. Was constantly being bumped and hampered throughout. If you fancied him before today then there is no reason to desert him yet. I think he would have won, or been a lot closer at the very least, with a clear run.
Agree Grizz. I was a little disappointed tbh even if he wasn't fully wound up.To be fair he still has to prove he stays 3m2.5f but he should do. Still expect him to be a main player come March and much prefer him to Chapoturgeon who won't stay and Cloudy Lane who is slower than slow.The current fav will be primed for the GN so the race is weaker than it first appears. Still happy enough and may well back him again...10's with Hills.
He won a 3m 1f hunter at Punchestown as a 5yo and a 3m hunter on heavy at the same age so I'm not expecting stamina to be an issue - I don't know why he's not been seen for 11 months and I'll be interested to hear the comments of connections after todays run. I am tempted by the 10s but I was fairly heavy on the 7s....
Grizz...they always go much faster in hunter chases at the festival than the usual pedestrian pace in Ireland in such events. Stamina to be proven but agree it is more likely than not that he will last..his jumping today pleased me but I really would prefer him to be ridden more prominently..these Irish amateurs are top class but love the Hollywood ride of scything through the field from a drop out position. Given the dire standard of the amateurs in that event,I would prefer them to be in the rear view mirror rather than carrying out fancied runners or crowding at obstacles which can happen at HQ.
Not sure how anyone can say On the Fringe would have beaten Salsify with a clear run. The winner travelled like the best horse in the race and won a shade cosily for me. Based on this you'd have to say Salsify is the number one Irish challenger for the Foxhunters.
I agree. OTF looked short of work for me - connections seem happy enough with his performance saying it was a good comeback after 11 months out, on that basis there should be some improvement in the tank so the updated Foxhunters prices are probably about right (10s and 12s respectively).
