Hurdle Debut Double For Maxios

Thursday saw Wild Max (4g Maxios - Wildfahrte, by Mark Of Esteem) complete the first leg of a double for his sire over hurdles when making a winning debut for the Paul Nicholls stable at Taunton.

A black-type performer on the flat in Germany, the bay was sent off favourite for the extended two mile maiden hurdle, for much of which he raced in a prominent position. Leading before the second last under Harry Cobden, he was ridden on the run in to hold off Masters Legacy (Getaway), whom he drew two and a quarter lengths clear of on the line.

Owned by the Owners Group 036, Wild Max was bred by Gestut Brummerhof and is a half-brother to two black-type flat performers.

Completing a fine double for Maxios on the day was Group Stage (3g Maxios - Good Hope, by Seattle Dancer), another who made a successful switch from the flat when taking the Juvenile Hurdle at Ludlow.

Trained by Alan King for the McNeill Family and Niall Farrell, he had finished second twice on the flat and stepped up to two miles for his hurdle debut. He raced in midfield for much of the race under Adrian Heskin and was ridden to chase the leaders approaching the third last. Hampered at the second last, he recovered to lead on the run-in and ran on to beat the favourite Gavrocheka by three and a quarter lengths.

The promising son of Maxios fetched 50,000gns as a two-year-old and was bred by Gestut Romerhof out of the Stakes-placed mare Good Hope.