Impressive Maiden Hurdle Winner Leads Double For Maxios

Gaelic Warrior (4g Maxios - Game Of Legs, by Hernando) made short work of his opposition when sauntering to a wide margin victory in Tuesday’s maiden hurdle at Tramore.

Willie Mullins made no secret of the high regard he held for his French recruit when running him in the Grade 3 Fred Winter Hurdle on his first start for the yard, a race in which he was sent off favourite, but denied the narrowest of margins.

He was sent off an even shorter-priced favourite on his seasonal return and he never gave supporters a moment’s worry, travelling strongly throughout and easing clear before the fourth last. Never challenged, he won by all of 86 lengths.

The Mrs Ricci-owned bay was subsequently shortened for the Supreme Novices Hurdle, the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett. Bred by the Niarchos family, the son of Castlehyde Stud sire Maxios was purchased privately by connections from the yard of Hector De Lageneste and Guillaume Macaire.

Fellow French recruit Foxboro (7g Maxios - Fair Breeze, by Silvano) completed a double on the day for his sire when gaining his second win over fences at Fontwell for Robert Walford and Lewis Nettley Racing.

Two from two over hurdles, he placed in competitive chases before scoring at Sandown on his final start last season and made a step up in trip on Tuesday. Racing in midfield under Harry Kimber, he took closer order from two out and led inside the final 110 yards, before being ridden out to win by two and a quarter lengths.

"Harry gave Foxboro a great ride," the winning trainer said. "I didn't think the ground was soft enough for the horse, but it was a lovely performance. He needed every inch of that trip."

Foxboro was bred by Gestut Fahrhof, who raced him to win on the flat in his native Germany.