Unbeaten Son Of Maxios Boosts Supreme Dream

Chasing Fire (6g Maxios - Kahara, by Sadler’s Wells) strengthened his Supreme Hurdle claims when extending his unbeaten record in good style at Sandown on Saturday.

The £170,000 point-to-point recruit made a winning start for Olly Murphy in a bumper last season and went on to win his first two starts over hurdles by a combined 32 lengths. Sent off favourite to add to his haul on Saturday, the son of Maxios raced prominently under Aidan Coleman and was shaken up to lead from two out. Soon ridden, he boasted a clear lead at the final flight and kept on well on the run-in to win by six lengths.

“I think Chasing Fire is good but I don't know how good,” Murphy later mused. “Could he win a Supreme? I've had a second and third but never the winner. Whatever he does this season, he is going to be a very good chaser next season.”

Murphy and his father Aiden purchased Chasing Fire after a commanding debut win at Tattersalls for Denis Murphy, and their exciting hurdler now carries the colours of Mrs Diana Whateley. The son of Maxios was bred by Gestut Fahrhof, who stood his sire until transferring to Castle Hyde Stud in 2020.