GREAT to see Maarek back. It is remarkable to think that, when he won the Beverley Bullet last Saturday, in an unlikely come-from-behind-and-through-traffic manoeuvre under a brave ride from Jamie Spencer, the 2013 Prix de l’Abbaye hero was recording his first victory since he won the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes 15 months ago.

Trainer Evanna McCutcheon is used to driving around Europe during the summer looking for soft ground, but Maarek proved that he didn’t need it bottomless last Saturday, when the ground was just on the easy side of good, no softer.

He also proved that, as an eight-year-old, he still has the pace for five furlongs, as long as the early pace is fast. Put him back into your notebook now as we move into the autumn.

Incidentally, it was interesting that the three non-runners from the 16-runner Beverley feature were horses who were set to emerge from stalls 12, 14 and 15. They must have felt ill when they saw that they were drawn out there.

Espinoza breeches dilemma

You can understand Victor Espinoza’s plight.

Parents have been putting labels on their kids’ anoraks all week before sending them back to school. So how else is Victor going to recognise his own breeches when he comes in from yard?