Maarek firing ahead of Bullet defence

Maarek is back on the Westwood to defend his crown in the totescoop6 Beverley Bullet on Saturday.

Evanna McCutcheon's veteran, who has a triumph at Group One level in the 2013 Prix de l'Abbaye on his CV, hasn't managed to get his head in front in the last 12 months and was seventh to Toscanini at the Irish Derby fixture on his most recent appearance.

"He's had a nice mini-break, which was always the plan to back off with him as he had a mixed-up winter and ran earlier in the season than he usually does," said McCutcheon.

"Bar his last start at the Curragh in June, he had been running really well, but things haven't really gone his way all year.

"He disappointed us the last day when he ran very flat, but he's really, really well now and I'm very happy with him.

"It will be a competitive race - you wouldn't expect anything else - but it's very good prize-money and he obviously won so well last year, so we know he acts at the track.

"He's fit and fresh and ready to roll."

Muthmir faces a significant drop in class at Beverley but rain on Thursday has dented stable confidence.

William Haggas' sprinter is without a win since the King George Stakes at Goodwood last summer and finished only sixth behind Take Cover in the corresponding race earlier this month.

He was declared for the Nunthorpe Stakes at York last week but was taken out when the rain which aided Mecca's Angel began to fall.

"If all goes well on the Westwood trips to Ireland and France are in store later in the season," said Haggas.

"The rain that came on the Friday (of York) was most unhelpful, but he's in fine form and has done well since Goodwood.

"The rain has been a nightmare, every time I declare him it rains. I'm planning to send him as it's warm and dry with no more rain forecast and we'll just have to see as he needs a race.

"I think it will dry up to good but he needs it fast. It's a shame, as it's a stiff five there with plenty of pace on, which will really suit.

"He's in the Flying Five (Curragh) and the Abbaye (Chantilly) and I'd like to run him in both, but a lot of that depends on how the ground is. He's in fine form and is good to go - he just needs to race."