There was a blanket finish to the final of the Red Mills Champion Open Unraced Stake at Kilkenny on Friday.
Brendan Matthews’ Shutthe Back Door completed an unbeaten run through the competition when landing this prestigious decider.
The son of Droopys Scolari flew to the turn and pinched that vital early advantage from the main danger Skilful Legend.
Perry Aylward’s Skilful Legend tried to close from halfway but the line came too soon for him and he failed by a head to catch the 29.08sec winner.
Material Man produced his trademark flying finish and was only a further head away in third.
Matthews is enjoying a purple patch on the track having bagged a second Kirby Memorial at Limerick a few weeks ago.
