/ Timeform / 05 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
JP McManus looks set to hold a strong hand in the Irish National on Monday.
"On The Fringe is already established as one of the top hunters, fourth in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in 2010/11 and third to Salsify at Leopardstown on his reappearance..."
The Irish National is the highlight of Fairyhouse's prestigious Easter Festival, and this year's renewal looks set to prove a typically competitive affair...
Four Commanders made steady progress throughout the campaign, winning a maiden chase at Down Royal in November and making the frame every outing since. He again impressed with his jumping when third to Teaforthree in the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival and his straightforward style of racing (tends to be ridden prominently) means that he should avoid traffic problems, but he may just prove vulnerable to speedier sorts.
Groody Hill progressed in leaps and bounds before the turn of the year, finishing with a flourish to nail Ad Idem close home in the Troytown at Navan and complete the hat-trick, before finishing an excellent third an ultra-competitive race at Leopardstown over Christmas, likely to have finished closer but for a mistake two out. He's been freshened up since that busy spell and should give a good account.
Cross Appeal is another to have gone the right way this campaign and doubled his tally over fences in the aforementioned contest at Leopardstown. He scrambled home by three-quarters of a length in the end, though, having been around four lengths clear at the last, so his stamina for this longer trip is by no means copper-bottomed.
Ninetieth Minute took advantage of a straightforward task in a maiden chase at Fairyhouse last time and seems sure to get a lenient mark in relation to the pick of his hurdles form. That came back in 2009/10, though, so it remains to be seen whether he is quite the force of old, while his attitude has long been a cause for concern. With stamina doubts and lack of chasing experience further negatives, he looks opposable at the current prices [13.5].
Alfie Sherrin returned to form in first-time cheekpieces to land a Cheltenham Festival handicap last time, doing so in the manner of one who will be suited by this sort of trip, and still looks feasibly weighted judged on his strong hurdling form of a couple of years ago. He has been let down by his jumping before, but was far better in that department last time and has to be accorded respect.
Allee Garde didn't look well beforehand and got no further than the twelfth in the four-miler at Cheltenham last time, but his form on this side of the Irish Sea prior to Cheltenham reads quite well, third in graded races at Leopardstown and Naas and shaping as if a marathon trip would be right up his street. He seems well suited by a sound surface.
Lastoftheleaders represents last year's winning trainer and has a similar sort of profile to Organisedconfusion, having been campaigned at significantly shorter trips all season, as well as having his final prep run over hurdles. He's certainly done enough to suggest he's in good heart in recent outings, his latest run over fences saw him rout the field in a seventeen-furlong handicap at this track. With plenty of stamina in his pedigree he looks a major player.
Quiscover Fontaine ran well in this race last year, patiently ridden and meeting some trouble before keeping on well, eventually finishing fourth to Organisedconfusion. He's set to race off 1 lb lower here, having been campaigned exclusively over hurdles this time round, and has solid each-way prospects.
Glam Gerry has gone the right way since switched to handicaps in this sphere, landing a gamble at Leopardstown over Christmas and unlucky not to get closer when third in a typically competitive Cheltenham handicap last time, left with plenty to do the way things panned out before flying home. His strong finish that day bodes well for his prospects of staying this far and he could be a threat to all if his jumping holds up.
On The Fringe is very lightly raced under Rules but is already established as one of the top hunters, fourth in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in 2010/11 and third to Salsify at Leopardstown on his reappearance, shaping as if the run would bring him on. His initial mark looks lenient and he is definitely one for the shortlist.
Aigle d'Or is presumably quite a fragile sort given his profile, but he has done enough this season to suggest he could be up to landing one of these big handicaps when things fall his way, unlucky not to finish closer when sixth at Leopardstown over Christmas. He rounds off what looks a potentially strong challenge for JP McManus.
This isn't an easy race to assess with confidence at present, as several runners also hold entries in the Aintree Grand National the following Saturday, so it could pay to look for a bit of value. One who seems likely to take part and give a good account is On The Fringe, who looks well handicapped and is currently trading around [44.0]. With a relatively quick surface seeming likely after a dry spell, stamina won't be tested as it sometimes can be in this race and Lastoftheleaders is another to consider.
Recommendations
Back On The Fringe at [44.0]
Back Lastoftheleaders at [16.5]
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