Talented Son Of Maxios Gets His Head In Front

Graded performer Tax For Max (5g Maxios - Tomato Finish, by Starborough) gained a well-deserved win in Saturday’s maiden hurdle at Punchestown.

The Willie Mullins-trained bay was sent off favourite, having been placed over hurdles on four occasions, including at Grade 3 level and in a Grade B at the Punchestown Festival. He was ridden prominently by Paul Townend and was shaken up on the run-in, going on to win by three and a half lengths in straightforward fashion.

“That will do his confidence the world of good,” Townend commented after the race. “He's been running in a lot of competitive races and getting hard races without getting his head in front.”

Tax For Max is owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who bought the son of Maxios from breeder V Kaufling, for whom he won on the flat in his native Germany.