Maarek to improve from Naas return David Nagle expects Maarek to improve from the run as he prepares to make his return to action in the Listed Woodlands Stakes at Naas on Saturday. The Pivotal gelding proved a star for the Fethard handler last season with victory in the Group Two Quipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot in October the highlight of a great year. Nagle will aim the six-year at the top sprinting honours this term and hopes for another wet summer. Saturday's contest, over five furlongs, is set to be a starting point for Maarek with Nagle expecting him to come on significantly. “The more rain that falls the better. I'm not sure what it's been like the last few days but it was soft at the entry stage anyway,” said Nagle. “He's in good form but will improve a lot from the run. There aren't many options for him in Ireland and five furlongs wouldn't be ideal but we have to start him off. “The Group One at Ascot (Diamond Jubilee Stakes) will be the main aim for him and if it came up soft it would be great. “He'll get an entry in all those Group Ones and he is also in the Group Two at York (Duke Of York Stakes) in the middle of May. “We'll look at everything over five and six furlongs and wherever it's soft he'll be aimed. “He had an unbelievable season last year and there is nothing to say we can't get him back in the same form. He seems in good form.”
