TEAM MATTHEWS PLANNING A TOWCESTER RAID

Since Towcester reopened for business three years ago in May 2020, Brendan Matthews and his team have shown great support for the venture, sending over runners for all the major competitions.

Therefore, it was no surprise to hear Damien Mathews suggesting they are planning a raid on this year’s Star Sports/ TRC English Derby. Said Damien, “We’ve always been behind the Towcester project and we’re looking forward to the English Derby. We’ve been working on building some strength in depth in the kennel and a team for the Derby.”

He went on to suggest they could have a seven-strong team depending on what happens in the coming days with a couple of their potential challengers set to trial. At this moment the seven dogs are Wide Open, Mr Incredible, Undulation, Savana Hero, Fernandes, As I Say and Burj Khalifa.

With the exception of As I Say and Mr Incredible, they all have prior experience around Towcester.

Wide Open is perhaps their most interesting challenger. She reached the final of the Maiden Derby at Towcester last year only to pick up a small problem. On her potential participation, Damien said, “She picked up an injury in the Maiden Derby last year. We had her back for this year’s Easter Cup but she came in season and her prep has been a bit rushed as a result. She’s twelve weeks out of season and will trial this week. All going well she will make Towcester”.

Mr Incredible is also in a race against time, although he is due to trial this weekend. “He was injured in the Kirby Memorial and we had to withdraw him from the quarter finals. He’s a fast dog. If he is okay, he’ll be there [Towcester].”

As with Wide Open, Undulation is also on her way back from seasonal break. She is a bit more forward in her prep as she is now fourteen weeks our of season. “She’s fourteen weeks and it will b a small bit of a rush but she has Towcester experience. Her last start came in the rescheduled Puppy Derby decider around there.”

The likes of Wide Open and Mr Incredible are due to trial at Shelbourne this weekend and the plan is to then bring the entire team for trials at Towcester on Saturday week.