Maarek gains 14th win in Navan opener

Old favourite Maarek bounced back to winning ways when coming with a swooping run to land the spoils in the opener at Navan this afternoon.

The ten-year-old was recording his first win since August 2015 when claiming the Like Navan On Facebook Handicap, run over just shy of six furlongs.

Killian Hennessy was rowing along on Evanna McCutcheon's charge at halfway but he found another gear passing the furlong pole and soon hit the front.

The 6/1 shot held his rivals at bay close home to record a half length success over Kupa River

Maarek was recording his 14th career victory with the highlight coming when he landed the Group 1 Prix de L'Abbaye in October 2013.

Great stuff at @NavanRacecourse - 10-year-old and former Group 1 winner Maarek lands our opener for a 14th career success 👍 pic.twitter.com/1eYZLLa1Yq

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 25, 2017

“He’s been running well all year, although I think the handicapper was hard on him the last day (raised 7lb). He’s a tough old soldier, and it’s nice to get to the end of the year with a run like that,” said McCutcheon.

“It’s just a matter of getting the ground and getting the right track.

“Killian gave him a great ride, and Seamie (Heffernan) had confidence in him all year but couldn’t ride him the last day. Killian has been riding work and rode him like Seamie as he’s a horse that you have to get inside his head.

“He buried me on Monday so he still has every bit of it, and will definitely be back next year.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)