Crossword Genius

Old prospector makes more subtle case for outrageous try on (5-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

forty-niner

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'old prospector' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'more subtle case for outrageous try on' is the wordplay.
'more subtle' becomes 'finer' ('fine' can be a synonym of 'subtle').
'case for' is an insertion indicator.
'outrageous' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen this in other clues).
'try'+'on'='tryon'
'tryon' anagrammed gives 'ortyn'.
'finer' enclosing 'ortyn' is 'FORTY-NINER'.

'makes' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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