After winning by an easy eight lengths over the course and distance last year Rock Critic repeated that performance winning this time around by five lengths, giving his trainer Dermot Weld his ninth winner of the week.

The gelded son of Pivotal was having his first run since September of last year, but his lack of racecourse action didn't affect him in the slightest as quickly drew clear in the straight when switched by his jockey Pat Smullen after being boxed in behind runners for much of the race.

Sent off the 11/4 favourite, the 6yo was Smullen's seventh winner of the week. Casela Park ran a nice race to finish second at 10/1 while Ted Dolly at 3/1 finished a further length back in third on what was his second start of the week, having finished in the same position on Tuesday night behind Iron Major.

Winning trainer Dermot Weld said afterwards "He did it well, the break came at the right time for him and he loves this place.

"Provided he comes out of the race ok he will be back here for the big handicap on Saturday under his mandatory penalty."

Winning jockey Pat Smullen said afterwards: "I just had to sit on him going down in the dip and it was only a matter of getting the gap from then as he is a good horse."

Donal Murphy