Gray gets off mark on Dahlia

Shane Gray looks a name to follow this season after the young apprentice gave Blue Dahlia a stylish ride to claim his first success in the six-furlong handicap at the Curragh.

The Tommy Stack-trained filly, who was also successful on the opening day last year, travelled sweetly to hit the lead over a furlong out.

Gray got down to business inside the final furlong and his partner ran on strongly to score by two lengths from Three Way Stretch

"She's a tough consistent filly and the ground doesn't seem to bother her," said Fozzy Stack afterwards.

16-year-old Gray was Champion Pony Racing Rider last year and is the brother of Stephen, who won the Galway Hurdle on Bahrain Storm in 2009.

It was Gray's third ride on the track after a couple of spins at Dundalk towards the end of last year.