Sweet success for Byrnes as Fruity lands a late gamble

While the Galway Plate Trial may not have provided any significant clues to next month’s Ballybrit showpiece, Rock On Fruity landed a nice touch for local trainer Charles Byrnes and JP McManus, finding plenty off the bridle for Mark Enright.

The eight-year-old had been knocking on the door at Kilbeggan of late, perhaps going down as an unlucky loser last time, and stayed on from the last to justify market support into 7-1 (from 12) in the moments before the off.

The €26,000 feature wasn’t without incident, with Heron Heights, Hash Brown and Net D’Ecosse all coming down at the first, but Byrnes expressed his delight at the success which completed a double for one of the most capable handlers in Ireland after Denham Sound had taken the 2m5f handicap hurdle.