I Am Maximus made a victorious return to Fairyhouse to safe Grade One glory within the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase.
The seven-year-old received the Irish Grand Nationwide on the observe again in April, defying his novice standing to say a size success within the Easter spotlight for coach Willie Mullins.
Having his first begin since then – and his final in novice firm – I Am Maximus travelled effectively into the race for Jody McGarvey, having been completely satisfied to let 5/4 favorite Letsbeclearaboutit minimize out a lot of the early working.
Discovered A Fifty was additionally to the fore and it regarded between the three of them coming right down to the ultimate two obstacles, with Letsbeclearaboutit the primary to crack.
A gradual leap on the final hardly helped Discovered A Fifty’s trigger and, dropping again to two-and-a-half miles – 9 furlongs lower than the Irish Nationwide distance – I Am Maximus (11/1) had greater than sufficient stamina to claim once more on the run-in and win by two-and-a-half lengths.
Coral make I Am Maximus the 16/1 joint favorite for subsequent yr’s Randox Grand Nationwide, whereas Betfair go 12/1 about his probability within the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas interval.
Mullins stated: “That is a pleasant bonus on his final day as a novice. He is a complete character, as you can see from his early days racing. Paul (Townend) gave him an ideal journey within the Irish Nationwide and Jody will get on effectively with him and gave him an excellent journey there.
“He looks a class horse now rather than a handicapper, so maybe we’ll have to make different plans for him now.
“We have been hoping he’d have an opportunity over the journey and the truth that it was his final day as a novice to provide him the chance. He is clearly improved from final yr and clearly reveals a liking for Fairyhouse.
“He has a funny action when you look at him head on and I’d imagine softer ground is to his liking.
“I assumed he was crushed turning for residence and to provide what he did up the straight was superb.
“This year, we were maybe looking at going for the English National and whether we change and go for Grade One races now, I’m not sure. We’ll have to have a word with Frank (Berry, racing manager) and JP (McManus, owner) and see what they want to do.”