Early Doors © Photo Healy Racing
After Ash Tree Meadow in the feature, Early Doors (3/1) was a second Galway Plate winner to prove victorious as Enda Bolger's veteran landed the Dan Linehan's Celebrating 50 Years Of Hospitality Hunters Chase.
This was a first win under Rules since his Ballybrit triumph in 2020 for the J P McManus-owned 11-year-old. Patiently handled by Derek O'Connor who gave him a ground-saving rider down the inner, the winner was ridden in fourth after two out and jumped the last in third before coming through to head front-running Romeo Magic on the run-in. Two and a half lengths was the verdict.
"That was great and we'll head on to Listowel now, which is the next one," said Bolger.
"The spring and the nicer ground is a big factor to him and he then has that bit of class.
"It is great to win a race with him again and Derek gave him a masterful ride again - he is a diamond."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
