Guerre beats Maarek in the Woodlands

Guerre justified favouritism as he took the feature at Naas this evening, the Listed Woodlands Stakes, completing a double on the card for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien.

The three-year-old son of War Front was getting weight all around on account of his age, and he was sent to post the 11/4 favourite, after opening at 5/2 on-course (was available at 3/1 last night).

Having just his third career start, and his first of the new season, the American bred colt travelled strongly over two furlongs out, and he was soon sent to the front by O’Brien.

He was a few lengths clear at the furlong pole, and he kept up the gallop from there, coming home with a length and a half to spare. Maarek who was sent off a 7/2 chance, got going late in the race and he had to settle for second under Declan McDonogh for Evanna McCutcheon, while Nocturnal Affair (20/1) ran a nice race to take third, a further head behind under Fergal Lynch for David Marnane.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He is fast horse, and that wasn't a bad performance for a three-year-old against older horses.

"I'm delighted with that and he could go for the Greenland Stakes (at the Curragh next month). It is also possible that he could go back to five furlongs."

The winner, who cost $180,000 US Dollars as a yearling, holds a whole host of big race entries including the King’s Stand Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes both at Royal Ascot.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee