Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- Home
- News
Easy for Rock Critic
A lovely shot of Robbie McNamara & Rock Critic in full flow
© Photo Healy Racing
Those that backed Rock Critic from 4/5 into 4/7 for the opening Ladbrokes Maiden Hurdle at Galway may be tempted by Paddy Power's 16/1 first show about the Pivotal gelding for the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham next March.
Others might think there isn't much value in that quote but whatever the pros and cons of that, Rock Critic couldn't have won this two miler any easier.
Robbie McNamara knew that he was on the class horse of this event and not surprisingly he kept it simple. Leading from the third, the Moyglare Stud-owned seven-year-old extended turning in on the way to a very easy eleven length victory from Flying Light
Welcoming back the ninth Rosewell House winner of the week, Mark Weld remarked: "I'm thrilled with that, he couldn't have done it any better.
"He'll go a winners of one next. I think Dad was harbouring hopes of winning another big one on the flat so that's why he hasn't started at this game until now.
"After that this looks his real vocation."
Meanwhile McNamara, registering his first success of the 2012 Festival, said: "The Supreme Novices' is a possibility for him. He's been schooled a lot."
Rock Critic (4th in the Topaz Mile on Tuesday night) was the fourth horse to win on their second start of the week following on from Inis Meain, Shadow Eile and Wellforth.
The Stewards enquired into an incident after the last hurdle involving Flemingstown ridden by Miss C M Woods and Hawk Flight ridden by I J McCarthy, where it appeared interference had taken place. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found Miss C M Woods in breach of Rule 214 in that she had ridden carelessly and suspended her for one race day. (VF,DM,EM)