Richard Fahey sent Take It To The Max over from England to land the spoils in Leopardstown’s apprentice handicap final.

Leigh Roche took the ride and made all on the four-year-old gelding. Despite drifting across the track in the final furlong the 9/2 favourite won by three lengths from Andrew Oliver’s Elusive Award ( 16/1) who stayed on well to be nearest at the finish.

In a phone call Richard Fahey said: “He stays well. He’s a fine big horse and he loves that ground. That’s the key to him and we are delighted with him.”

20 runners went to post with Ted Dolly coming home third at 11/1 (16s in the morning) and Fred Fenster completing the placings in fourth at 6/1.

Take It To The Max had won the Zetland stakes as a Two-year-old for George Moore.

Michael Graham