Maarek returns in the Phoenix Sprint Maarek faces seven rivals as he returns from a mid-season break in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. Victorious in last year's Prix de l'Abbaye on Arc day when trained by Barry Lalor, Maarek made a good start for new handler Evanna McCutcheon, winning one of his four starts in the spring. The seven-year-old tasted Duke Of York Stakes success on the Knavesmire in May before chasing home subsequent dual Group One winner Slade Power when last seen over six furlongs at the Curragh later that month. Maarek relishes cut in the ground and McCutcheon is keen to get him back on track now that some rain has arrived. She said: "He's good, he's had a bit of break and this is his first run back, so he will come on for it a bit. "There's only so long you can keep him going without giving him a run, so we just gave him a couple of weeks off while the ground was quick and then brought him back into full training. "He will come on for the run, but his last run against Slade Power has worked out well as he is a top-class horse. "He does have a penalty but he has that for a reason as he is a Group One winner. "He's entered in the Nunthorpe, at Haydock, the Irish Champion Sprint and Ascot, and Paris would be the ultimate aim if the ground is right." Mick Halford's Russian Soul was a Group Three winner in Dubai back in February and returned to European action with a pleasing second behind Darwin last month. Jamesie was third for David Marnane that day and tries his luck again, while Kevin Ryan's Hamza and the Roger Varian-trained Rocky Ground make the trip across the Irish Sea. An Saighdiur, Scream Blue Murder and Flight Risk complete the line-up.
