NO LUCK FOR WIDE OPEN AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Brendan Matthews’ Wide Open carried no luck in the final of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Maiden Derby at Towcester on Sunday.

Sent to traps the 8-13 favourite, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Dolce Vita missed the start and found traffic in the early yards.

In contrast, Hellofakerfuffle broke smartly to lead the field into the turn and he proceeded to make every inch. Wide Open did stay on well but could only finish third, two and a quarter lengths and a head behind Hellofakerfuffle and Savana Camino in 29.44.

Speaking to the Racing Post after the race, Damien Matthews said, “Congratulations to the winner, he did everything right when it mattered. We will get home and reflect on it all. Obviously, we are thinking of the Derby, we will have three or four likely runners.”