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Marakoush sheds maiden tag in style

Tue 26th Aug 2014, 17:22

A fine shot of Marakoush and Declan McDonogh in full flowA fine shot of Marakoush and Declan McDonogh in full flow
© Photo Healy Racing

Last night John Oxx was a prominent figure in the RTE-aired Power In The Blood – The Story of the Irish Thoroughbred documentary and today the Currabeg maestro was present at Ballinrobe to see his Marakoush take the opener.

A half-brother to good horses like Mourayan and Mourilyan and indeed Willie Mullins' classy hurdler Mourad, Marakoush had a straight-forward win here on his first outing since May.

Declan McDonogh soon had the 88-rated performer in front and it was a matter how far the 1/2 shot was going to win by from two furlongs out. He eventually crossed the line seven and a half lengths in front of Ashbury Boss. Neverushacon made a satisfactory debut, four and a quarter lengths back in third.

"He ran well early in the year and he just needed a bit of time. He has been going well lately and he has improved a bit over the summer.

"He handled the track well, took on the bends nicely and won well. We will see what to do with him but a handicap is probably the next stop.

"He is a nice big rangy horse. He's a half-brother to Mourad and I'd say hurdling will be his game, he stays well," reported Oxx of the Aga Khan three-year-old. (DM & EM)

1st
1/2Fav
Tote €1.50 €1.02
2nd
7.5L
9/1
€2.20
3rd
4.25L
9/1
€2.10
4th
0.5L
4/1