Plinth 'a fortunate winner' of 3 runner hurdle

The Aidan O'Brien trained and J.P. McManus owned Plinth just about justified 9/10 favouritism in the Punchestown Annual Membership From E110 Hurdle at Punchestown today, scrambling home in the three runner event, under Mark Walsh.

The winner took up the lead after two out but was strongly pressed by Mireya until that rival fell at the final flight. Given that Plinth seemed to idle badly in the closing stages, Mireya looked an unlucky loser.

Early front-runner Goonyella seemed to drop out of contention entering the home straight, but did close on the winner all the way to the line to get to within a fast diminishing half length at the line.

O'Brien was absent but Walsh later confirmed the visual impression when, refreshingly for winning connections, openly admitted he was fortunate, saying “he (Plinth) was stopping coming up the run-in and might have been a fortunate winner as I thought the mare (Mireya) could have beaten me.

“I got a run on her into the straight but I could feel her coming to me on the run to the last. Fortunately for me she fell, although I don't like seeing any horse fall.

“We didn't go too quick and I was probably in front too soon but I wanted to use his pace. Johnny (Burker, rider of Goonyella) was coming back at me but my lad wasn't doing much in front on his own. “He wouldn't go on winter ground and that might be it to the spring now.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson