settled 3rd at sedate pace, slow jump at 6th and dropped to 4th, pushed along and soon 3rd, niggled along before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on, lost 3rd 50 yards out
tracked leader in close 2nd at sedate pace, travelling well before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on without matching winner
led at sedate pace, 2 lengths clear at 6th, reduced margin and ridden after 2 out, not fluent at last, driven and kept on best
held up 4th at sedate pace, ran freely, improved to 3rd at 6th, soon 4th, travelling well before 2 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden after last and stayed on well to 3rd, nearest finish
Little King Robin won a better race than this at Down Royal on Friday and has an entry in the Grade 1 Morgiana in a couple of weeks. If she turns up here she would be the likely winner but in her probable absence PLINTH looks weighted to land the spoils. Aidan O'Brien's charge has had a busy time on the Flat and over timber and might have gained his fourth success over obstacles at Limerick last time but for a last-flight error. The weight he receives from his main rivals can just swing things his way though Taglietelle has been progressing at a rate of knots on fast ground and, providing their isn't too much rain, looks certain to get competitive again. Macnicholson didn't quite have the pace to match Rich Coast at Tipperary but that was a Grade 3 over the minimum trip and this extra half-mile should suit. Ttebbob looks a very nice staying prospect but may find a couple of these too quick.
Taglietelle 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along 4 out, ridden from next, under pressure in last 2 out, progress on outer entering straight, improved to lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m hdl gf in Oct beating Art Of Payroll (11-12) by 6l, 4 ran.
Macnicholson (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead entering straight, soon ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Rich Coast (11-1) at Tipperary 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Oct.
Plinth (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd before straight, improved on inner to dispute before 2 out, ridden in narrow lead before last where mistake, disputed run-in, headed last strides, 2nd of 4, shd behind Clarcam (10-11) at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl gd in Oct.
Ttebbob (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, badly hampered 4th, moderate 8th 3 out, good headway from 2 out, ridden into 2nd at last, led early run-in, stayed on well under pressure, won at Naas 3m mdn hdl in Mar beating Shield (11-10) by 4l, 12 ran.
Little King Robin (IRE) 4-6fav (10-13) Made all, soon clear, jumped well, reduced lead from before straight but still travelling smoothly, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 2f mrs lst hdl (1) gf in Oct beating Melbourne Lady (10-9) by 7l, 10 ran.
