THE historic Galway Plate. What a race to win your first chase, and on only your fifth outing over fences. Early Doors, the French-bred son of Soldier Of Fortune (Galileo) and Ymlaen (Desert Prince) did just that when he landed the spoils in the Tote-sponsored feature recently.

Bred by Derek Clee at Haras du Petit Tellier, Early Doors was sold as a yearling at Arqana for €6,000 and resold from Shanaville Stables as a three-year-old at the Goffs Land Rover Sale for €36,000 to Joseph O’Brien. Winner first time out and third in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper, he took to hurdling and won a Grade 3 at Naas.