Tote Galway Plate (Grade A)

HE possibly hadn’t won the races his talents merited but Early Doors certainly picks his moments and he struck gold for the first time since the 2019 Cheltenham Festival to further enhance Joseph O’Brien’s big race haul over jumps.

Some 24 years after his father sent out Life Of A Lord to win his second consecutive Galway Plate, O’Brien produced the J.P. McManus-owned Early Doors in great shape off a comeback run over hurdles at Tipperary last month. This gelding lined up with inexperience as a major concern as he had just four previous runs over fences.

However, one of those runs came at this meeting last year when he was second before failing to produce his best on a couple of runs in the spring. Just like the McManus-owned 2013 winner Carlingford Lough, this seven-year-old recaptured his best at the most opportune of times to shed his maiden tag over fences.

In addition, the victorious son of Soldier Of Fortune had first-time cheekpieces to aid his cause and he had the considerable assistance of Mark Walsh who was riding his second Plate winner; Bob Lingo bagged the famous race for him back in 2012.

An interesting Plate was robbed of the long-time favourite Galvin, who was withdrawn on veterinary advice earlier in the afternoon, and got off to an anti-climactic beginning with a false start.

When the runners did get away at the second time of asking, Walsh was able to take up a good position on the 7/1 chance and, as ever in the Plate, it paid to race up in the first half of the field.

For much of the final circuit the field was led by the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Livelovelaugh and Cabaret Queen and they remained in front facing up to the last two fences where stablemate Robin Des Foret was also vying for the lead.

Poised just a few lengths in behind was Early Doors and then coming away from the last two fences a huge upset loomed as the 66/1 chance The West’s Awake strode to the front.

However, it was at this point that Early Doors, a seventh winner of this race for McManus, made a decisive move to make his challenge between horses and he struck the front halfway up the run-in.

His work wasn’t done though as the staying-on favourite Royal Rendezvous launched a strong late charge. Early Doors wasn’t for catching and he got to the line three parts of a length in front Royal Rendezvous. Cabaret Queen took third with The West’s Awake running a huge race in fourth.

Fantastic

“I thought Mark was absolutely fantastic on him. The start was a bit messy but he got the horse into a lovely rhythm,” stated the winning trainer. “His lack of experience was a concern but I was delighted to see the rain arrive for him today.

“It’s a great race and I remember hearing years ago all about Life Of A Lord so it’s a very special race to win and we’d all love to be there and have the atmosphere that goes with Galway but hopefully next year we can make up for it.

“In terms of the future I’ll speak to J.P. and Frank (Berry) about what we might do, but he is a novice for the rest of the season which gives us a lot of options and I suppose the first race you might consider after this would be the Kerry National.”

Meanwhile, the winning rider reflected: “I got a good start tracking the leaders. He missed the second fence after the stands and he missed the second last as well but it suited as I had something to aim at on the run for home and he galloped all the way to the line.

“He’s a Cheltenham Festival winner and the ability was always there and I would say that the cheekpieces really sharpened him up. This is a great race and it’s brilliant to win it but it’s just a pity that the crowds and the owners aren’t here to see it.”