Plinth causes minor upset in ‘Istabraq’

The Grade 2 Istabraq Hurdle was the feature event on yesterday’s high-class mixed programme at Tipperary, and Plinth, carrying the colours of the eponymous three-time Champion Hurdler, and also trained by Aidan O’Brien, caused a minor upset when landing the spoils.

Fethard Player set out to make all and was still in front turning for home, shortly after which the always prominent Plinth was asked to close.

In behind odds-on favourite Thomas Edison travelled ominously well and looked a real danger. The latter, returning after a heavy fall in the Galway Hurdle, didn’t pick up immediately, and was sympathetically handled as Plinth and Fethard Player got down to battle it out.