The Joseph O’Brien trained Plinth returned to winning ways at Killarney today, narrowly landing the Kelly Brothers Sliabh Luachra Hurdle to make 2017 his fifth consecutive winning year.

Plinth, whose winning ways began in 2013 and was previously successful in August 2016, today scored a ninth career win and a fifth under jockey Mark Walsh, who steered him to an all out nose win over Flaxen Flare

O’Brien, who had a double at the venue yesterday, wasn’t present but Plinth’s owner J.P. McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry later stated “he's been a grand old servant. He's had a bit of a break and he battled really well.

"He didn't mind the drop of rain, and will tip away over the summer. We'll find a conditions race for him."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee