Dermot Weld has yet another potential winner in ROCK CRITIC, who was a close third in a 7f handicap at the fixture last year. He's had only one run since and remarkably can run from a 1lb lower mark. He'll be prepared for this and gets the vote over Gracchus, who scored over hurdles last month and reverted to the flat in style when landing a 7f handicap at Leopardstown last week for which he is penalised 5lbs. All In Clover looks a major threat as David Marnane's filly beat a big field at Fairyhouse and didn't get the run of the race when staying on behind Option Be at Roscommon. Little Bug, who was engaged in the 8.05 here last night, is consistent and reasonably treated but Haaf Oak has been beaten three times from this mark which doesn't suggest she can win this very tough event. Peculiar Prince has been a regular at the Festival over the years and may not be finished yet after his best effort for some time at Bellewstown earlier in the month.
Space Race 14-1 (9-0) Towards rear, some progress on outer approaching halfway, no extra early straight, 14th of 23, 12l behind Luttrell Lady (8-11) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-90 gd in Jun.
Peculiar Prince (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway to lead 2f out, ridden and challenged 1f out, headed last 100 yards, kept on, no extra close home, 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Sixteen Forty Two (9-8) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 60-90 gf.
Gracchus (USA) 9-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway under 2f out, ridden into 6th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead last 50 yards, won at Leopardstown 7f hcp 50-75 gd beating Rambling Dancer (8-12) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Master Marvel (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden halfway, no impression straight, 10th of 13, 22l behind If Per Chance (10-0) at Killarney 1m hcp 50-80 gf.
Rock Critic (IRE) 4-1fav (9-8) Chased leaders early, 10th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 8th of 20, 6l behind Final Flashback (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 1f hcp 50-80 gd in Aug.
All In Clover (IRE) 9-4fav (10-1) Mid-division on outer, ran wide off bend leaving back straight, 8th approaching straight, some headway under pressure on outer from 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Option Be (9-6) at Roscommon 7f hcp 47-60 gf.
Young Lochinvar (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 22l behind Premier Rouge (8-13) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp 50-85 gf.
Lac A Dancer (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear, headway in 10th 3f out, ridden into 8th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 18, 2 3/4l behind Sublime Talent (9-6) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 50-85 gd.
Ufallya (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 10th of 13, 19l behind Gra Geal Mo Chroi (9-1) at Ballinrobe 1m 1f hcp 50-75.
Forbidden (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, 6th entering straight, kept on one pace from over 1f out without threatening, 4th of 9, 8l behind Strandfield Lady (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 2f app hcp 50-75 gd.
Little Bug (IRE) 4-1 (8-5) Mid-division, 4th 3f out, no impression under pressure over 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong and kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Intapeace (9-3) at Roscommon 7f Fillies Handicap (50-85) (3yo+) gf.
Birregurra (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride and held up, ridden and some progress straight, no extra from 1 1/2f out, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Talkin Kate (8-9) at Naas 1m app hcp 50-75 gf.
Quench The Flame 10-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden into moderate 4th over 1f out, kept on without threatening into 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 7l behind If Per Chance (10-0) at Killarney 1m hcp 50-80 gf.
Fandango Boy 20-1 (8-12) Rear of mid-division, ridden into moderate 6th over 1f out, kept on without threatening, 5th of 13, 11l behind If Per Chance (10-0) at Killarney 1m hcp 50-80 gf.
Keen Look (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Mid-division best, ridden and no extra over 3f out, 12th of 13, 34l behind Gra Geal Mo Chroi (9-1) at Ballinrobe 1m 1f hcp 50-75.
Metal Madness (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division early, 7th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra in 8th 2f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 18, 12l behind Lucky At Last (10-11) at Galway 1m 6f stks sft in Oct.
Dinah Doll (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, led briefly 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Camira (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m app hcp 50-70 gf in May.
Haaf Ok 11-2 (9-4) Mid-division, headway in 7th 3f out, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Mon Champion (8-12) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp 50-80 gf in May.
Badger Or Bust (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Monthly Medal (8-13) at Ballinrobe 1m 1f clm stks.
Strategic Alliance (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Towards rear for much, no impression straight, 15th of 25, 12l behind Leah Claire (9-1) at Curragh 1m 2f stks in May.
Silly Dancer (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd approaching straight, no extra and dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Strandfield Lady (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 2f app hcp 50-75 gd.
