Maarek 'as good as ever' ahead of Abbaye Maarek will now bid to win the Qatar Prix de l'Abbaye for a second time following another fine effort at the weekend. Evanna McCutcheon's admirable sprinter came with usual late flourish when going down by just a head to Sole Power in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh. Maarek is set to sidestep his entry in Saturday's Dubai International Airport World Trophy at Newbury and wait for the Abbaye at Longchamp on October 4, in which he enjoyed his finest hour in 2013. "He couldn't be better, I've very happy with him," said McCutcheon. "We'll go for Abbaye now. He was just beaten by the best sprinter in Europe last season (Sole Power) and both were at the top of their game. He lost nothing in defeat. "He's still as good as ever."
