LIFE OF A LORD is indisputably the class horse in today's Galway Plate, so much so that his presence has severely compressed the handicap.
Last year's spectacular 20 lengths winner must have every chance of becoming the first horse to capture this famous chase in successive years since the Phonsie O'Brien-trained Ross Sea in 1964 and '65, and the third to defy top-weight, following Leap Frog in 1973 and General Idea three years ago.
Yet, Life Of A Lord has not had a race since winning the prestigious Whitbread Gold Cup under 11st 10lb three months ago. He is said to be in tip-top shape but trainer Aidan O'Brien, who refrained from risking him on hard ground at Killarney and Tipperary, would be happier had he had a recent run under his girths. That said, he has shown in the past that he performs well when fresh.
A big horse, Life Of A Lord is well up to carrying weight, but in the light of his 12-week absence and the fact that he is running over a mile less than at Sandown, I question if he can concede 32lb to the progressive front-runner Boro Vacation, who, in the absence of his regular rider Tommy Treacy, serving a seven-day suspension for improper riding", will be partnered by Paul Carberry.
Boro Vacation, whose dam Boro Quarter credited Paddy Mullins with the first of his two Plate victories in 1986, has come on by leaps and bounds since winning the first of four successive chases at Thurles in early April.
He then won at Tramore and jumped better than ever when trouncing the favourite Heist by 10 lengths at Roscommon. His last success was at Wexford, where he made all to beat the long-absent Minister For Fun by a length and a half.
Runner-up to Feathered Gale in the Plate two years ago, having looked all over a winner on the run home, J P McManus's Minister For Fun was subsequently down the field in a handicap hurdle at Gowran Park. But there were excuses for that defeat, and trainer Edward O'Grady was delighted with his comeback performance at Roscommon. He meets Boro Vacation on 3lb better terms and at his best would have every chance of turning the tables. Frank Woods, who rode Feathered Gale on that occasion, now partners Minister For Fun.
J P McManus also owns King Wah Glory, who on his best hurdle form is most attractively handicapped. However, for the possible favourite his credentials over fences are suspect. Having beaten Ventana Canyon at Punchestown in February, he ran no race at all behind the same horse at Cheltenham. He has won on soft going, but, essentially a summer two-mile chaser, is best on good to fast terrain. It remains to be seen if today's distance is within his compass. He might well win but in my book is just not value.
Dermot Weld admits to a slight preference for Open Market to his other runner, Blazing Spectacle. The mount of Norman Williamson, Open Market has won a handicap hurdle over this course, is tough, and as he showed when winning over fences at Tipperary last time out, has a good turn of foot. However, he is a long way out of the handicap proper.
There are others with chances, including Tryfirion, but. a selection must be made and it is Boro Vacation, who skidded and lost his feet on a greasy bend after the first fence at Tipperary last time out. That chase was won by Open Market who must now meet Boro Vacation on 13lb worse terms.
