Maarek team hoping for rain Evanna McCutcheon hopes to end a frustrating spell with Maarek in the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. The soft-ground lover has been inactive due to the dry summer but it looked as if he would have his favoured conditions earlier in the week. But with the ground now drying out, McCutcheon would prefer a drop more rain to be on the safe side. "I hope the ground is soft enough," said the County Tipperary handler. "We bypassed Tipperary to come for this as we were banking on more rain than actually fell. "I must be the only person in Ireland who is disgusted when the sun shines! "The ground as it is would be fine, but I'd just like another drop of rain to freshen it up by Sunday. "He's gone nearly three months without a run because of the ground, but I don't think he's actually missed a race. "We haven't decided not to run and then it's gone soft so there's nothing we could have done. "He's still as honest as the day is long and he's shown when he has run that he's as good as ever. "When conditions are right he's as good as the rest of them." Eddie Lynam runs three, with Anthem Alexander looking the pick of the trio. She will be joined by stablemates Balmont Mast and Fort Del Oro. Mick Halford is doubly represented by Russian Soul and Toscanini, with Tim Easterby sending Mattmu from his North Yorkshire base. Beach Belle, trained by Kevin Prendergast, completes the line-up.
