LIFE OF A LORD, the first chaser to win the Galway Plate in successive years since Ross Sea in the mid 1960s, was brilliantly ridden by Charlie Swan to beat Bishops Hall and Richard Dunwoody in a pulsating finish to yesterday's Digital sponsored chase.
But if the six times champion, riding his first Plate winner, deserved the plaudits and Aidan O'Brien was full of praise the trainer himself must take much credit for producing the chaser so fit after a three months absence.
The chips were down when Bishops Hall recently returned to Harry de Bromhead after a fruitless spell in England led on rising to the second last fence, with the always prominent Life Of A Lord closing to within a length. Open Market fell here in fourth place, but his exit ensured that we were in for a two horse race.
Jumping the last the duo were well clear of their struggling rivals including the short priced, favourite King Wah Glory and it appeared that Bishops Hall, hugging the rails, would keep galloping in the straight to hold Life Of A Lord, who was conceding the best part of two stone.
Brave as a lion, Life Of A Lord responded to Swan's urgings, getting up in the last 100 yards and winning by a length and a half as Charlie punched the air with delight "He outstayed and outgunned me from the last," said the former British champion Richard Dunwoody, also seeking his first Plate winner.
Said Swan. "He was always flat to the boards. Apart from missing the last ditch he jumped great. It was brilliant to win as it was for Trevor Horgan last year. All credit to Aidan considering the horse has not run since winning the Whitbread Gold Cup."
"He's a brave horse and jumps very well. He is a good ground specialist," said Aidan O'Brien.
He will improve from today and is 30 kilos heavier than when racing last year.
O'Brien plans to run Life Of A Lord in the Kerry National at Listowel, a race the 10 year old I won last year with 11st 13lb following his Plate victory. He will then be given a break and, if the ground is good, will be prepared for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National.
Life Of A Lord, only the fourth horse to win the Plate with too weight in the post wear years, is" owned by Spiddal, Co Galway, hotelier Michael Clancy and is currently rated 13lb behind the Gold Cup winner, Imperial Call.
John Oxx's strike rate for the meeting is impressive. Mazamet, ridden by amateur Philip Dempsey, landed a fast run Digital Altavista Maiden by three lengths, and was the Curragh trainer's third winner from four runners. Sheikh Mohammed's Mazamet is a half brother to the dual Ascot Gold Cup winner, Sadeem.
Mrs Phonsie O'Brien's home bred Life Support was not expected to run in the opening Digital Software Hurdle after she had fallen at the fourth flight in Tuesday's McDonogh Maiden Hurdle and banged a knee. However, the injury responded to a poultice" and ice treatment and, found to be in fine fettle yesterday in bringing, she was allowed take her chance.
Marginally behind the favourite Kaldan Khan at the last, the Noel Meade trained Life Support quickened up after landing to win by six lengths.
Pat Flynn's impoving Wexford winner Digadust arrived with a strong run on the stands side to get the better of Miltonfield in the two mile Mentec Handicap. The trainer is hoping that Royal Albert will have more luck in running in today's Galway Hurdle than when second in Mondays' amateur handicap.
Always travelling easily Kephren headed Lady Daisy over the second last flight and drew clear to win the CK Business, Electronics Handicap Hurdle by, four lengths. Ridden by Conor O'Dwyer, the winner gave trainer Vivian Kennedy a welcome, change of luck. The seven year old is entered for Saturday's two, mile and five furlong Oranmore Dairies Handicap Hurdle.
Gates, ridden by Pat Shanahan in the absence of Michael Kinane, who was riding at Goodwood, just got the better of Ry, Midyan in the Digital Services, Maiden and boost Dermot Weld's, tally to seven at the half way stage.
The tote aggregate of £495,445, was some £32,000 down on last year's figure and the bookmakers' take was also £30,000 down. The attendance, approximately 25,000 last year, was down by eight per cent.
Champion amateur jockey in Britain Jim Culloty announced yesterday that he will be turning professional at Bangor tomorrow. The Kerry born rider Culloty, whose total of 40 winners was the most in a season by a member of the unpaid ranks since Richard Smith partnered 56 winners in 1972/3 said. I can't wait to get going as it's been my ambition since I became a jockey.
