Maarek pleases connections on Naas return Trainer Evanna McCutcheon was delighted with the effort of Group One winner Maarek on his return to action at Naas on Sunday. The 10-year-old finished a fine third under a welter burden in the Naas Racecourse Launches 2017 Flat Handicap on his seasonal bow. McCutcheon had been worried that fitness may catch out the Pivotal gelding, but the 2013 Prix de l'Abbaye winner showed up well to finish in the places behind Gymkhana. "He came out of it grand and I'm very, very happy with him. I was absolutely delighted with the way he ran," said McCutcheon. "I'm not surprised the handicapper didn't touch him, but hopefully he might give us a chance as the year goes on. "I'd say he was fitter than I thought he was. He didn't have the blow that we all thought he was going to have. "He hasn't much work done. Just a lot of steady work at home. Because it was so cold I couldn't swim him like I usually do. I think it actually had him fitter than I gave him or myself credit for. "I was very happy that he jumped on terms and travelled away beautifully. He carried a lot of weight, though, and that showed, he just felt the pinch. "I think he'll have got a lot of confidence back in that company. He was a Group One horse in a handicap. "That's what we're going to have to look at now. We can't realistically expect him to carry on in the top company forever. "There are a few Listed races coming up but the problem in Ireland is those are often very small fields. "The next handicap for him here is May 20 at Navan. Unfortunately it's a long way off. "We'll have to see whether we'll travel across to England for a handicap before that or run in a little Listed race." Maarek has long been considered something of a mudlark but McCutcheon feels her charge may actually be more at home on a nicer surface at this stage of his career. She said: "As long as there is no jar in the ground, I'm happy. On good ground over a stiff six I'd still run him as he's been quite effective on it. "Obviously he handles the bit slower ground better than some of the others, but he just doesn't need it a bog any more. "I think he quite liked Naas the other day, it was lovely. I didn't think it was as slow as the description (soft to heavy, soft in places) was giving it. "You're always worried about running a horse first time on very testing ground, but I knew in Naas it was going to be nicer than maybe some other tracks. "We're very very happy with him and it's nice to see that there might be a bit of fun left in him."
