Maarek finished for the season Maarek will be put away for the season after failing to add to his Prix de l'Abbaye triumph when unplaced in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on Saturday. The Barry Lalor-trained six-year-old could only finish 12th behind his Irish compatriot Slade Power after being slowly away. "Maarek is fine. He had blood tests just to make sure and they came back fine," said Lalor's assistant, Evanna McCutcheon. "It was one of those days. The race wasn't run to suit him and him messing around in the stalls didn't help him either. "He lost a shoe as well which obviously wasn't ideal, but I think the lack of pace and playing up in the stalls were the main issues. "He has proved himself this year and owes us nothing. "He's going home for his holidays and then he'll come back next year. He's a gelding so he'll stay in training. "Wherever there's ease in the ground we'll have him right and ready."
