OPEN FASTEST IN LADIES STAKES AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Brendan Matthews’ Wide Open was Ireland’s sole winner at Towcester on Friday evening as she ran on strongly to claim an unlikely success in the penultimate heat of the Madri Excepcional Ladies Stakes.

The Maiden Derby finalist broke smartly but failed to hold her position into the bend and looked in a spot of bother down the back straight when only fourth.

Her main market rival Antigua Cuddles took charge on the third turn and seemed the most likely winner but Wie Open found a seam before finishing at speed to lead on the line for a head verdict in a fastest of the round 29.49. The Pat Buckley trained Glengar Jenny found crowding at both the opening and fourth bends before finishing fourth. 

Brendan Matthews also saw Getawaywithit qualify in third in the opening heat. Despite running very wide in parts, she finished a close third, some length and three parts and a head behind Goldies Mabbutt.

Incidentally, Hes The Greatest was due to line out in the opening round of the Sportystuff TV Puppy Cup but was a non-runner.