Texas Rock (Fran Berry) beating Greek Canyon in the seven-furlong rated race © Photo Healy Racing
Fran Berry, fresh from taking the top flat jockey award at the Galway Festival with four winners, was on the mark again at Naas as Texas Rock gained a deserved success in the Kildare Post Rated Race.
The well-backed 9/4 joint favourite (from 7/2) was sent past the front-running Greek Canyon a furlong out, and was driven out to beat that rival by a length and a quarter.
The other market leader Joe Eile was just a short-head further back in third.
Winning trainer Michael Grassick said, "He handles that ground better than most and wants seven furlongs or a mile. He'd a couple of good runs and deserved that win.
"There is a strong headwind and we didn't really want to make it. Luckily one of Ger's (Greek Canyon) went on.
"We'll have a look now at the Cambridgeshire, and also the big seven-furlong handicap on Irish Champions Weekend."
The Rock Of Gibraltar gelding is owned in partnership by HRI Chairman Joe Keeling and Tadhg Geary.
