Conditional rider Stephen Gray recorded his seventh winner of the season when partnering Charming Hills to win the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Thurles today, for trainer John O'Shea.
Gray, whose wins this season have included the Cork National, was seen to good effect on the son of Charmwood Forest, eventually producing the gelding to lead before the second last flight, before staying on well for a five and a half lengths win.
Afterwards O'Shea reported "I haven't been able to work my horses in the last few days due to the frost and I thought Charming Hills may have been a bit undercooked."
He added "he jumps well and may now go straight over fences."