Rock On Fruity and Jody McGarvey clear the last in front at Kilbeggan© Photo Healy Racing
Odds on favourite Rock On Fruity sealed a comfortable success in the two mile Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Kilbeggan.
The six-year-old was well supported all day from 11/8 to 8/11 before further money at the track saw him contract to 4/7 on the off.
Jody McGarvey, in the JP McManus silks, was content to race in fourth on board the six-year-old as Credulous attempted to make all under Luke Dempsey.
The favourite improved into second at the penultimate flight, at which the leader was untidy. He readily took over from Credulous before the last and bounded away on the run-in to score by two and three quarter lengths.
Credulous (7/2) kept on for second while Time For Mabel came in third at 10/1.
Trainer Charles Byrnes said: "He'll go handicapping now and tip away for the summer between two and two and a half miles. I think he's okay on that ground. He can't handle it soft."
Rock On Fruity was fitted with a hood for the first time this evening. On his last appearance he was third in a Roscommon maiden hurdle over two and a half miles.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
