Maxxum enhances Elliott's impressive Boyne Hurdle record
ROYAL SUCCESS: Maxxum and Danny Gilligan win the William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan. Picture: Healy Racing
Maxxum (4-1) gave Gordon Elliott a fifth win in the William Hill Boyne Hurdle in Navan, the first leg of a Grade Two double and part of a treble for Cullentra House.
Ridden by Danny Gilligan, the eight-year-old, who led early, was left in front when stablemate Riviere D’etel was pulled up, lame, six from home and, found plenty when pressed by 2022 winner and 15-8 favourite Thedevilscoachman between the last two flights, staying on to score by four lengths.
“He had a good run in Gowran when he probably didn’t get home over three miles,” explained Elliott. “The shorter trip suited him today and we thought he had a good chance.
“Danny gave him a very clever ride and gave him a breather at the right time. He picked up well when the other horse came at him. He’ll head straight for the Coral Cup now.”
Elliott, responsible for three of the five runners in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed (Ten Up) Novice Chase, duly registered a 1-2-3 as 1-2 favourite Better Days Ahead, second leg of a double for Sam Ewing, beat Stellar Story and Three Card Brag.
The winner, narrowly beaten at Grade One level last time, hit the front four out but idled on the run-in and only had a neck to spare at the line.
“I’m delighted with all three horses,” said Elliott. “The winner could have done with a faster pace and wasn’t doing a stroke in front – he’d be much better with a lead for longer.
“The second fellow is a good horse in his own right. I’m thrilled with him as the plan was to get him around and give him his confidence back. He jumped better and Danny gave him a brilliant ride. He’ll probably got for the Brown Advisory, along with the winner.
“And Three Card Brag is still on course for Aintree — he needed to be placed to qualify, so it’s a case of job done with him.”
“He’s a nice horse and the further he goes the better he’ll be,” said Elliott after watching 6-4 favourite Honesty Policy (Sam Ewing) stretch clear up the hill to beat market rival Come Walk With Me in the Navan Ford & Opel Maiden Hurdle.
He added: “Aubrey McMahon bought him out of Pat Doyle’s and recommended him to us. He had a nice run in Naas and came forward. He’s going the right direction and should make a nice chaser.”
Carrying the familiar Special Tiara colours of Sally Rowley-Williams, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Tareze (Darragh O’Keeffe) powered to an eight-length win over Blue Mosque in the listed Ryan’s Cleaning Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle.
The winning trainer was represented by Robbie Power, who said: “She’s a fine, big mare, stronger this year, and is improving all the time. That was a very good performance. She travelled very sweetly behind the pace and quickened well when Darragh gave her a squeeze. He said she was only hacking the whole way around.
“We have options. Sally is quite keen to go to Cheltenham. So she might head for the mares’ novice if the ground is suitable, or there’s the Grade One at Fairyhouse.”
Willie Mullins produced a realistic contender for Cheltenham’s Champion Bumper when newcomer Copacabana, ridden by Patrick, justified 9-4 favouritism in the finale, powering clear to slam Burrows Drive by five lengths.
“He’s a lovely, big unit, a real chasing type,” said the champion trainer, “He has taken time to come right, but I’d say we may buy the ticket (to Cheltenham) now.”
And Pat Foley is planning a return to Navan for the valuable EBF-sponsored novice handicap for Verdant Place following his victory, under Simon Torrens, in the William Hill Proper Prices Handicap Chase, his second success over course and distance.
