THE defection of Galway Plate winner Life Of A Lord in last evening's opening Smirnoff Handicap Chase was a body blow to Killarney's second day meeting but thanks to the severe underfoot conditions only 13 horses contested the two chases and the solitary hurdle race.

The course was watered after racing on Monday night but yesterday's hot and breezy weather nullified the efforts. if similar conditions prevails at Tipperary on Sunday Life Of A Lord will not meet that engagement either but will go to Galway for his second Plate bid under top weight.

The former Galway Hurdle winner Natalies Fancy came home alone - but sore - in the depleted Smirnoff Handicap Chase after Anabatic had unseated his rider in the lead at the last and Life Of A Lord's stable-companion Holiway Star had fallen at the far side of the course.

He was feeling the ground all the way," said winning rider Paul Carberry and that was evident as Natalies Fancy jumped to the right at several fences. Anabatic was eventually remounted to collect second place money.

Odds on favourite Winter Belle was also a last fence casualty in the five-runner Hotel Europe Novice Chase only he was beaten as 12 to 1 outsider Savuti made the best of his way home having made all the running to win by 11 lengths.

Tom Treacy did well to land the Marie O'Brien-trained Le Grande Bard the winner of the Great Southern Hotel Handicap Hurdle after his saddle had slipped back at the third last. making all to beat course specialist Merry People by an eased down two lengths.

Ox Eye Daisy justified favouritism in winning the Whitegates Hotel Ladies QR Flat Race in the hands of Angelique Crowley. She is the first winner trained by Eamonn Sheehy who received his licence only two weeks ago.

Sheehy, who has so far ridden nine winners as an amateur, trains seven horses in Graiguemanagh, Co Kilkenny and Ox Eye Daisy was his second runner.

Sixteen years old Declan McDonogh won the M D O'Shea Handicap on Wicklow Way, his third winner this year and fifth in all. Trained by his father, Des, Wicklow Way collared the favourite Sambara a furlong and a half down.

The John Oxx-trained Timidjar had no problems in landing prohibitive odds in the three-runner Bowler/Londis Handicap, leading to the final furlong before drawing away for rider John Murtagh.

Shikari's Son will bid to repeat last year's shock victory in the Vodac Stewards' Cup on Saturday August 3rd.