chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 2nd, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and no impression before next, not fluent last, kept on one pace
led, not fluent 4th, headed 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace
always rear, slight mistake 4th, ridden and no extra straight
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 5th, progress to lead 2 out, asserted before last and kept on well run-in, comfortably
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, no impression from 2 out
Aidan O'Brien would love to win this race named after his great hero but the four-year-old Plinth looks to have a mountain to climb against very strong opposition, as does the other from his age group, Orgilgo Bay. Darwins Fox was conceding The Game Changer 3lb when beating him narrowly at Cork and, as Johnny Burke can't use his claim on the runner-up, Henry De Bromhead's charge should confirm the form. False Economy was beaten 10l and looks held so REBEL FITZ (NAP) looks the one to be on. Mick Winters' nine-year-old is getting better with age and has now won nine of his last ten starts, the only defeat coming in a two-horse race at Cheltenham a year ago. He reappeared after a break to score very impressively on the Flat at Listowel last month and this should prove well within his capabilities.
The Game Changer (IRE) 7-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 10th of 16, 15l behind Portrade (10-0) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Darwins Fox (FR) 7-4 (11-2) Prominent, led after 2nd, clear from next, reduced lead 6 out, clear again from 4 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, slight mistake last, kept on well run-in, reduced lead close home but always holding on, won at Cork 2m 2f hdl gd in Aug beating The Game Changer (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
False Economy (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, progress into 6th entering straight, no impression in 5th approaching last, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 9l behind Portrade (10-0) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Rebel Fitz (FR) 2-1 (11-10) Held up in last, 3rd from 6th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on into 2nd 2 out and left in lead, clear before last, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) in Apr beating Bright New Dawn (11-10) by 15l, 4 ran.
Plinth (IRE) 6-4fav (10-2) Soon raced in 3rd, mistake 4 out, went 2nd on inner from 2 out, led approaching straight, slight mistake last, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Flaxen Flare (11-2) at Galway 2m 4f hdl gd in Sep.
Orgilgo Bay (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Soon led, travelling well before 2 out, asserted before last with slipped saddle, easily, won at Listowel 2m hcp hdl (grade c) gd in Sep beating Annagh Haven (9-3) by 5l, 11 ran.
