Abbaye next for Maarek Maarek has a date with Europe's crack sprinters in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on Sunday week thanks to his victory at Newbury. The six-year-old mudlover booked his ticket to Paris with a clear-cut success over York Glory in the Group Three Dubai International Airport World Trophy on Saturday. The Barry Lalor-trained gelding will appreciate wet conditions for the five-furlong dash and connections are buoyed by the prospect of some rain. "He's bounced out of the race well, eaten up and travelled home fantastic," said Lalor's assistant Evanna McCutcheon. "Hopefully, we'll take on the big boys in Longchamp in the Abbaye. The ground was soft there last weekend and there's bits of rain forecast for next week, so every bit that turns up will be very much welcome."
