Rock to keep Weld's roll going

TODAY’S PREVIEWS: AFTER A record-breaking Galway, there is no let-up for Dermot Weld this Bank Holiday Monday where Rock Critic…

TODAY'S PREVIEWS:AFTER A record-breaking Galway, there is no let-up for Dermot Weld this Bank Holiday Monday where Rock Critic can take another successful break from the day job at Naas.

Weld surpassed his previous Galway best tally of 10 winners last week but among the victors there was none more impressive than Rock Critic who made his first start in almost a year an eight -ength whitewash.

Under a mandatory 5lb penalty, the horse, whose main task in life is to lead his stable companion Profound Beauty in her work, should be very hard to beat under Leigh Roche in the apprentice handicap.

Weld could also strike in the mile fillies maiden with Truth Seeking given some improvement from her Fairyhouse debut.

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There are a couple of hurdle contests at Naas and there will be no more intriguing contender in the handicap hurdle than Charminamix who comes back to jumping after a successful campaign on the flat.

Charminamix last won over flights at Down Royal in 2008 but he has looked a rejuvenated horse this term and could be thrown in off a mark of 90.

Rayhani’s form got a major boost from Ballyadam Brook at Ballybrit and this Limerick winner can come out on top in a tight-looking conditions hurdle.

It’s all-jumping at Cork this afternoon and the sight of Premier Rouge returning to jumping for the two-mile handicap hurdle is something that should be noted.

David Marnane’s nine-year-old was a winner on the level at Fairyhouse on his last start and he returns to the scene of a maiden hurdle success all the way back in 2005 when he beat no less a horse than Schindlers Hunt.

Premier Rouge was also a handicap winner over hurdles in 2006 and for a horse clearly back to winning form he is weighted to go very close today.

The Fonze ran an admirable fourth in last Wednesday’s Galway Plate over fences and is turned out again today for the conditions hurdle where a repeat of his Limerick defeat of Final Day should be good enough.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column