Tongue too strong for Tax in Tipp opener 33/1 shot Slip Of The Tongue collared hotpot Tax For Max in the closing stages to land the first division of Tipperary Town Maiden Hurdle at the Limerick junction track this afternoon. Tax For Max, sixth in the Triumph Hurdle on his last outing, went to post a 4/7 shot in the two-miler and looked to have his rivals on the stretch as he left the back straight in a clear lead. Slip Of The Tongue made headway into that advantage turning for home and Mark Walsh sent his mount into the lead going to the final flight. The Padraig Roche-trained debutant kept on well on the run-in to post a four-and-a-half length winning margin in the colours of JP McManus. "I thought he was a nice horse but thought greenness might get the better of him but it was great to get it,” said Roche. "Mam and Dad bred him and with the times we're in, we couldn't get him away. He is a big, raw horse and all the family improved in time and hopefully he will too. "The ground was lovely today and it was nice to get him out. I'll talk to J.P. and Frank (Berry, racing manager) and see what they want to do." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
