Tough Maarek ends a two-year drought as old stagers show how it's done

The number 13 has not been the most fortunate for veteran sprinter Maarek, seeing that his tally of career wins had remained stuck on that figure since his victory in the Beverley Bullet in August 2015.

His overall level of form had been in decline for a little while, but horses in decline tend to find their level eventually and a mark of 98 proved to be just that for the Group 1 winner as he proved too good for his rivals in the opening 6f handicap under 5lb claimer Killian Hennessy.

It was typical Maarek. He was behind and outpaced for much of the way, but once he met the rising ground on the very heavy surface well inside the final furlong he flew, and in the end probably got there too soon in managing to hold off the rallying frontrunner Kupa River by half a length.