Son Of Maxios Wins Grade 3 Hurdle With Ease

Sunday saw Whymper (4g Maxios - Wurfspiel, by Lomitas) record back-to-back black-type wins in the Grade 3 Prix de Maisons-Laffitte hurdle at Auteuil.

Hugo de Lageneste and Guillaume Macaire’s charge gained his third Listed win last time out over Sunday’s course and distance and was partnered by regular rider Baptiste Le Clerc on his latest start. Positioned in midfield during the early stages, he improved into second at the fifth flight and led two hurdles later. An ultra-confidence Le Clerc remained motionless until the run-in, during which he only gently nudged his mount along to win by an easy neck, with the front pair finished five lengths clear of the third.

Sunday marked a fourth black-type win overall for Whymper, and his first at Grade 3 level. His only other start in Graded company saw him finish third over fences. Bred by Gestut Fahrhof, the son of Maxios is owned by Hugo and Pierre Pilarski, Palmyr Racing and Jeannot Andt.

Earlier that afternoon at Uttoxeter, useful hurdler Chasing Fire (6g Maxios - Kahara, by Sadler’s Wells) made a winning start over fences in the two mile Novices’ Chase.

The Olly Murphy-trained bay faced two Graded performers on his first start since April and raced in second for much of the way under Sean Bowen. Pushed along to challenge at the second last, he led at the final fence and was ridden out on the run-in to beat Grade 2 runner-up Pembroke by a length.

Chasing Fire was bought by Olly and Aiden Murphy for £170,000 following his debut point-to-point win for Denis Murphy. He went on to win his first four starts in a bumper and over hurdles for owner Mrs Diana Whateley. Like Whymper, the son of Castlehyde Stud sire Maxios was bred by Gestut Fahrhof.