Maxxum rewards support to get off the mark

Maxxum brought off a morning-price gamble in the Knocklofty Maiden Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles in Clonmel.

He travelled kindly into the lead approaching two out and was ridden by Jordan Canavan to go and win his race before the last.

He took a couple of lengths out of the pursuing Taxi Rank and both horses were less than fluent in jumping. Maxxum was soon driven out to see off Taxi Rank by two and three quarter lengths. He went off 10/3 joint favourite having been 8/1 this morning.

Taxi Rank outran his 40/1 odds and was a length and three parts in front of third-placed En Avant (10/3jf).

"We had his two full brothers but had no luck with them and this is a lovely horse who is also owned by the Rabbitts from Galway," said trainer Eugene O'Sullivan.

"We might give him one more run before we put him away. He is a lovely young horse, is a future chaser and we'll definitely give him another run, maybe two, before leaving him off."

Maxxum got off the mark at the fourth time of asking having been unplaced in his three previous maiden hurdles. He has shown improvement on each start.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes