ROCK On Fruity picked a good time to open his account over fences when landing the Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase at Limerick.

The Charles Byrnes-trained eight-year-old was without a victory in 13 previous starts over larger obstacles but was always going well for Mark Enright in the feature race and travelled menacingly into contention turning for home.

The front-running Definite Soldier refused to go down without a fight but a fine jump at the last sealed the deal for the JP McManus-owned gelding and the 7/1 chance kept on well to land the valuable prize by three-quarters of a length.

Byrnes said: "He was probably a bit unlucky at Kilbeggan but his jumping has come recently and that's the main thing. It took him ages to learn to jump – he was just ploughing fences and the last day at Kilbeggan he definitely went down as an unlucky loser.

"In fairness to the handicapper he only put him up 2lb for that and I'm delighted to give Mark a winner as he is local to me. He might be a possible for the Midlands National at Kilbeggan (July 21) next."

RUSSELL TREBLE

Elsewhere on the card, Davy Russell was in tremendous form, winning the first three races through Gordon Elliott's An Caisteal Nuadh and Knockmaole Boy, and the Byrnes-trained Denham Sound.

An Caisteal Nuadh (4/1) struck in the two-mile maiden hurdle and was winning in the colours of former Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander, on what was his first start since August last year.

Russell said: "He loved the ground and jumped great and is a typical one of Gordon's who ran to the line. The year (absence) wouldn't bother you coming out of Gordon's and he'll come on for that. It's great, he was fresh and well and Gordon had done a lovely job with him."

Knockmaole Boy obliged in the two-mile rated hurdle, with Russell saying of the 4/1 joint-favourite: "He travelled well and really enjoyed the ground. He was very brave over the last two, he's very quick and is a real good hurdler.

"I thought today might stretch his limits, but Gordon's horses improve from run to run. Whether he can improve again, it's hard to know, but he was quite a cheap purchase and has now won two and €20,000."

He added after Denham Sound had obliged at 6/1: "I'm actually very lucky coming racing today, I got a bang on the nose this morning. I rang my wife and said I might not come, but she said 'gees, I thought you had very good rides, you better go!'. I have to thank her."

Byrnes said: "The man is on fire and told me what he was going to do. He told me he was going to ride her third or fourth the whole way, there'd be no messing as she is not over-genuine, but he made up her mind for her."

GREAT FORM

Stephen Mahon has his string in great form and bagged his third winner in four days when Cable Bay (14/1) landed the two-and-a-quarter-mile beginners' chase under Robbie Dunne.

Mahon said: "The horses are all running well and while I want them peaking for Galway, it'll be grand and we'll be able to tick them over now.

"I'd prefer having them this way than last year, when they were flat before Galway and I ended up with four seconds. Whatever I can get in will run in Galway – the kids' ponies won't be going but that's about it!"

The Willie Mullins-trained Ainsi Va La Vie (11/8 favourite) absolutely bolted up on her debut in the mares' bumper, in the hands of Patrick Mullins.

READ THE FULL LIMERICK REPORT IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD