With his fourth trainer and on his fourteenth start under Rules, The Grey Friend showed the ability that was obvious in his couple of point-to-point runs (chased home Tranquil Sea at Bennettsbridge and won at the Horse & Jockey in 2006) when landing a gamble in the Greville Arms Hotel Handicap Hurdle.

Paul Carberry oozed confidence throughout on the son of Environment Friend, who was under the care of Andy Slattery when he scored 'between the flags.' The 15/8 shot (9/2 in the morning) led without being asked a question before the last and he went away to beat Danny's Vic by ten lengths.

The Grey Friend went to Mickey Flynn after Slattery (then in the colours of Seamus Ross) and from that on to Ted Walsh. Ross now leases the Tony Martin-trained seven-year-old to the ten man Tallaght grouping, the Nearly Gone Grey Syndicate, and he retains an interest himself. (EM)