Grey Leader stepped forward nicely from his debut run to claim the opening maiden at Gowran Park this afternoon.

The Joe Murphy-trained gelding had stayed on from the back to finish sixth at Bellewstown 13 days ago and went to post a 4/1 shot this afternoon.

Gary Carroll settled his mount behind the leaders in the early stages of the seven-furlong contest before asking him to close passing the two pole.

He switched his mount towards the inner a furlong-and-a-half from home and they claimed front-runner Feach Amach inside the final furlong to record a length-and-a-half success.

Murphy said:- “He’s a very genuine horse and I’d say there is loads of improvement within a year. The ground is fine for him as long as there are not extremes, he would not want it firm.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)