gave weight away to each of his rivals as he made all the running to win the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle at
.
Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old was carrying a penalty for winning the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, but had been pulled up last time out in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
Back in graded company rather than a big-field handicap, he was able to dominate under Danny Gilligan.
Maxxum (14-1) looked like he may be a sitting duck at the top of the straight with Eagle Fang, Spread Boss Ted, Gala Marceau and Feet Of A Dancer all on his tail.
But Gilligan had saved plenty and kicked on again approaching the final flight, holding off the favourite Gala Marceau by three-quarters of a length.
“Danny gave the horse a beautiful ride,” said Elliott.
“He missed the third-last, but after that it was poetry in motion. He’s a lovely, quiet rider and he suits this horse very well.
“In fairness, it just didn’t happen (in Coral Cup), he was slow away at the start in Cheltenham. He was good here today.
“Where we go with him, I don’t know. He could be a horse to go to France, he’s nearly better in a smaller field. We’ll have a look and see.
“He’s a good horse and he always wins on the big day.”