Aramax Provides Maxios With Notable Cheltenham Victory

Aramax (4g Maxios – Aramina, by In The Wings) added to the exciting potential of Maxios as a national hunt stallion when taking the Grade 3 Fred Winter Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The bay was purchased privately by owner JP McManus after an impressive win over hurdles in France and clearly impressed at his new home with Gordon Elliott, who started him in a Grade 2 on his Irish debut. Last seen winning by eight lengths at Naas, he was reunited with Mark Walsh on Wednesday and raced in mid-division. Making headway from three out, he led approaching the final flight and was ridden to hold off a challenge by Night Edition. Digging deep, he won by a length on the line.

Speaking after the race, Gordon Elliott said, “Mark got a lovely bit of room the whole way on Aramax and his jumping was lovely. This is a nice horse and he's going the right way. He just does what he has to do but we're very happy with him.”

The Gestut Rottgen-bred winner comes from the second crop of Maxios, who begins his NH stallion career at Castlehyde Stud at a fee of €6,000. His progeny have made a promising start in the national hunt sphere, as demonstrated by Listed Scottish Triumph Hurdle runner-up Group Stage and Francois Nicolle’s impressive debut scorer Quilixios.