Sean Jones, Ger Lyons and Colin Keane had a nice three-year-old first time out winner on the opening day at Naas nearly a fortnight back with Bobby Boy, and Flat To The Max supplemented those gains when even better in the Arkle Bar Maiden at Navan.

Backed from 2/1 into 6/4 Flat To The Max usurped Zayriyan for favouritism, and that support proved to be inspired as he lengthened away impressively in the closing stages to beat his market rival by three and three parts of a length.

"I don't know how good a maiden it was but he's come and done his job. I took it for granted that the sire (Maxios) would help him get the ground and, as I said in the blog, he's a nice horse going forward," stated Lyons.

"He's as green as grass and you would like to think he's a mile and a quarter horse. He would like a bit better ground but he handled it. It was a good tough performance on his first start and first time seeing turf as well. It's nice to see them running well."

(AM & EM)