Elliott and Kennedy double up with impressive Maxxum

Maxxum was much too good for a big field in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) as he put in a devastating performance. Sainte Dona led and was nicely clear at the half-way stage of this three miler, but the distress signals were clear at the second last. Eric Bloodaxe soon claimed him, but he appeared to be a sitting duck for his stablemate, Maxxum, who absolutely tanked onto his heels rounding the home bend.

He went on coming to the last and stormed in by a whopping 16 lengths to reward favourite backers at 11/4. Gordon Elliott saddled a one-two as Eric Bloodaxe came in a remote second at 7/1. Good Time Jonny (28/1) and Perceval Legallois (8/1) finished third and fourth respectively.

Paddy Power slashed him to 4/1 favourite from 16/1 for the Pertemps Network Final on the back of this display.

It was a similar story on his previous run in Navan last month where he took a handicap hurdle by nine lengths.

This gave Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott a double on the card and the trainer said: “They are all Galway people (Patrick Rabbitt) that own him and it’s the first horse they have had with us.

“We thought he was well handicapped when he came to us and we’re very happy with him. He’s going the right way.

“He shouldn’t have much problem getting into the final now!

“He was probably a bit unlucky the first day and ours were all coming on at that stage. It was the inside track at Punchestown and it was just a bit tight.

“That’s our eighth winner in three days so we’re holding our own.”

Elliott and Kennedy took the preceding race with Sam's Choice

Additional reporting by Alan Magee