The Grade 1 placed Plinth (1/6 out to 1/5) achieved what was expected of him with a win in the opening McHale Fusion 3 Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

A quick jump took Aidan O'Brien's Montjeu gelding to the front at the third last.

However it wasn't long before sweet travelling second favourite Ningbo Express was on his tail.

Plinth launched himself at the last though and fended off Ningbo Express on the run-in, by a length and a half with twenty nine lengths back to Rufino in third.

Winning rider Robbie Power said: "He done it well but he was in front on his own for a long time and he just got very lairy. I had loads of horse left.

"He was good and long at the last and he was brave and you couldn't ask for anymore really.

"He'll probably go further as he'd get two and a half no problem."

Frank Berry, racing manager to successful owner J P McManus, stated: "I'd say an extra half mile won't go astray on him somewhere down the line. At the minute we'll stick to around this.

"It was grand to get it out of the way and he kept it simple and he jumped well and Robbie was happy with him." (DM & EM)