Rock On Ruby takes Coral Hurdle Veteran Rock On Ruby held off a whole host of challengers up the Ascot straight to win the Coral Hurdle. The victory in the Grade 2 contest for the 10-year-old brought up a 96/1 treble for trainer Harry Fry and jockey Barry Geraghty on the card as the former Champion Hurdler showed he still retains plenty of zip. He was always at the head of affairs but all six runners had some sort of chance turning for home as the race developed into a bit of a dash for the line from the second last. But Geraghty had kept a bit up his sleeve as the pack closed with Grumeti looking to have every chance until a bad blunder at the final flight saw him drop right out of contention. It left Rock On Ruby still in command and he readily picked up to beat Court Minstrel by two and half lengths. Fry said: "They've let a Champion Hurdle winner dictate off a slow pace. Although we have been running him over these sort of trips and three miles last time out, he is still not a slow horse. Barry (Geraghty) dictated it and he quickened when he needed. "It shows how much difference the ground makes as that real soft ground Wetherby he couldn't jump out of it, but today he jumped out of Barry's hands. "Barry described him as terrier-like when the others came at him. Coming over the last, all he did was battle. He has been fantastic with us from the start. "The Relkeel was the plan and I don't see it being any different. He likes Cheltenham so we will look forward to taking him back there. He has given them all weight today and I am thrilled to bits."
