Paparazzi landed the spoils in a thrilling three-way finish to the opening mile nursery at Dundalk this afternoon.

Joseph O'Brien 's charge was produced to challenge over a furlong out by Sean Corby and soon disputed with Smiling Eliza and Lucky Red

The 12/1 shot gained a narrow advantage in the closing stages and had half a length to spare over Lucky Red at the line with neck back to Smiling Eliza.

The winner, a son of Iffraaj, had finished mid-division on his handicap debut at the track 12 days ago.

“He’s a big horse and it’s probably just taken him a few runs to sharpen him up a bit,” saod Corby.

“The penny is only dropping now, and he was even a bit slowly away today which he was in the past.

“He travelled well throughout the race and picked up well and stuck his head out. There is a headwind and he got there plenty early but he battled away to the line. I think he goes to the sales now.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)