25 March

rossom

3.30 Curragh

Maarek 5/1

Quite like the look of David Peter Nagle's improving 5 year old who I think if not needing the run has a cracking chance. Maarek is twice a C+D winner and seems to relish racing at the Curragh and has been beaten less than 2.25L in 5 of his 6 runs at the track. A horse that relishes soft underfoot conditions, Maarek was last seen landing a very valuable course and distance handicap in September beating a horse I rate very, very highly in the shape of Murura by 1L. That day under his perfect ground conditions, he came late and fast to win going away and it was a very impressive effort with the front 2 drawing 4L clear of the third. Although the form of that race doesn't seem to be up to too much, I am absolutely convinced that Murura will be winning more races this year and on that basis I think his 8lb rise in the weights is definitely manageable.

Two starts back Maarek ran a very, very good race only 8 days prior to his success on his last start when finishing a narrowly beaten 4th in the Ayr Silver Cup. Having raced near side, jockey Andrew Elliot believed he needed to bring Maarek into the middle of the racecourse late on and I think this manoeuvre cost him at least a length, and he may have actually won if kept to a true racing line. That said, it was still a really excellent effort and emphasised that he is still very much an improving horse. Todays race comes on the back of a 182 day absence from the track and on past form there is a possibility that he will need the run. The talented Seamie Heffernan takes over from Wayne Lordon in the saddle, who rides Tommy Stack's Great Huzzar in the same race. I don't think Lordon getting off Maarek voluntarily but rather he has commitments to the Stack yard and even if he has chosen to get off Maarek Stack has won the race the last two years so I understand why he could possibly want to. With a good draw in stall 8, I think Maarek will be winning races off this kind of mark in the near future and if fully wound up after his break I can see him going very close to winning this.

rossom

Keep an eye on Tommy Stack's runner today at the Curragh. Has done extremely well at this meeting the past 2 years and its clear he is very adept at getting his horses extremely fit for their seasonal debuts, as well as readying a newcomer. Last year he had 2 winners from 2 runners and two years ago he got up a 4 timer so I'd pay special attention to any of his horses that attract money. He has 5 runners out

2.30 Dylanbaru
3.00 Atacx
3.30 Great Huzzar
5.00 Sikara + Parkers Mill

MoscowFlyer

Excited for tomorrow, gonna head of to Downpatrick racecourse for the day but will keep an eye on things at The Curragh. Great weather and all, gives around 17C for tomorrow, golf in the morning then horse racing in the afternoon, good way to spend a Sunday imo!

Nulty

The sprint stalls are on the stand side at the curragh aren't they? So higher numbers are on the rail..?

rossom

Maarek hit the front too soon and idled and hung before getting nabbed close home. ah well

rossom

Where's Danny 16/1 in the last at the Curragh looks very, very interesting. Extremely green on debut but got the hang of things late on to finish 3rd. Half brother to the twice listed winning sprinter Katla and step up in trip looks sure to suit. Actually finished ahead of one of the market leaders in Unanimous on both their debuts and Where's Danny ran with much more promise. Looks very overpriced.