Verdict

The veteran ROCK CRITIC has been a standing dish at Galway for many years so it was a surprise when he was an absentee there last week. However, compensation awaits here as he was returning from a very long absence when beaten a short-head over this track and trip in June and is on the same mark. Xebec won a maiden over the course and distance in May and has been performing with credit in quicker conditions subsequently. He's not on a bad mark and with tonight's ground in his favour he'll be difficult to keep out of the frame. Waydownsouth has won over the course and distance though is better over further these days while Queen Of Alba is 11lb higher than when successful in this a year ago. Yet another track and trip scorer, Cheval Rouge, has dropped to a lowly mark and showed sings of a revival at Tipperary in June.

Formwatch

Repeater 50-1 (9-8) Towards rear, pushed along 4f out, dropped to rear and no extra from over 3f out, eased from over 1f out, tailed off, last of 19, well behind Pyromaniac (9-1) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in May.

Waydownsouth (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Led, pushed along approaching straight, ridden over 2f out, strongly pressed and headed under 150 yards out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Paddy The Celeb (8-9) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp gf in Jul.

Queen Of Alba (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Chased leaders on outer, ridden under 4f out and dropped to rear over 2f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Champagne Or Water (9-1) at Curragh 1m hcp fll Good - Yielding in Jul.

Rock Critic (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Soon settled 4th, 5th under 4f out, 4th 2f out, driven into 3rd entering straight, ridden over 1f out and progress to 2nd, kept on well final furlong to strongly challenge leader, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind I'll Be Your Clown (9-10) at Sligo 1m 2f stks 0-90 gd in Jun.

Corker Hill (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Led and disputed, improved to lead and ridden over 2f out, soon headed and no impression from 1f out, 6th of 7, 9l behind Champagne Or Water (9-1) at Curragh 1m fll hcp in Jul.

Gentleman Duke (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Raced 6th, progress to 4th under 4f out, pushed along under 2f out, ridden entering straight, kept on final furlong to 3rd close home, not reach leaders, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind I'll Be Your Clown (9-10) at Sligo 1m 2f stks 0-90 gd in Jun.

Jeremy's Girl (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Led and disputed, ridden and headed over 2f out, no impression from 1f out, last of 7, 10l behind Champagne Or Water (9-1) at Curragh 1m fll hcp in Jul.

Xebec (USA) 9-2 (8-8) Broke well to lead, pushed along approaching straight, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed and headed inside final 150 yards, kept on, held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Castle Guest (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f stks 0-95 gf in Jul.

Manny Owens (IRE) 8-1 (8-1) Led, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Algonquin (8-13) at Curragh 1m 2f 3yo hcp 60-100 gf in Jun.

Cheval Rouge (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Towards rear, 10th halfway, some progress approaching straight and 6th 2f out, 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Daliyan (8-11) at Tipperary 1m 4f hcp in Jun.