Maarek swoops late to snatch Prix de l’Abbaye
Trained by Barry Lalor, Maarek was scoring a first Group One victory as jockey Declan McDonogh produced his mount between horses inside the final furlong to see off Catcall by a neck.
Hamza raced prominently throughout and just held on to third in a photo with Nunthorpe winner Jwala while Reckless Abandon had to settle for fifth on his first start since Royal Ascot in June. Lalor said: “We knew the horse was in good form and he likes the ground soft, but it’s always risky with a hold-up horse as you never know what’s going to happen.
