Three wins from four visits to Ireland for Max

Sir Maximilian made it three wins from four visits to Ireland in 2014 when getting up close home to defeat Abstraction by a head in the listed Mercury Stakes, last night’s feature in Dundalk.

Previously successful at the Curragh and Tipperary and having his first run since returning to the yard of Ian Williams (who bought him at the Sales for £20,000 two years ago), the five-year-old gave Steve Donohoe and Williams big-race success on their first visit to Dundalk.

Donohoe admitted: “He did well to win – the bend comes up a bit quick and we got squeezed and lost momentum,” while Williams conceded: “All the plaudits go to Tim Pitt who trained the horse until a week ago and did a great job with him. But it’s great to have him back.