Maarek defied top weight to win the Go Racing In Kildare Handicap at Naas today, scoring for trainer David Nagle and jockey Wayne Lordan.

The 11/4 favourite responded well to pressure inside the final furlong to eventually defeat Gordon Lord Byron by half a length.

Afterwards Nagle said “to be honest I was slightly worried about the ground as that's as dry as he wants it. We may go across the water now for a handicap but ground will dictate where we go as he really has to have it soft.”