Rock Critic impresses at Fairyhouse

Racing: Rock Critic was an impressive winner of the Racegoer´s Package Hurdle at Fairyhouse as last year’s English Grand National…

Racing:Rock Critic was an impressive winner of the Racegoer´s Package Hurdle at Fairyhouse as last year's English Grand National third Seabass made a fine return to action in second.

The Willie Mullins-trained Make Your Mark was the 4-6 market leader for his seasonal reappearance on the strength of some smart novice form last term, with Rock Critic next best at 9-4 after winning on his hurdling bow at last year’s Galway Festival.

The two of them disputed the running throughout but it was clear before the home turn that Robbie McNamara was travelling far better aboard the winner than Davy Russell was on the odds-on favourite.

The Dermot Weld-trained Rock Critic eased clear once straightened up for home and safely negotiated the last couple of obstacles to seal a three-and-a-quarter-length victory and make it two from two over timber.

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Ted Walsh’s Seabass ran a tremendous race on his first appearance since his superb Aintree performance last spring. The 10-year-old was predictably outpaced over this two-mile trip but stayed on strongly in the straight to grab the runner-up spot from a rather disappointing Make Your Mark.