Elusive In Paris lands the punt

Michael Grassick saddled his first winner since King Of Aran scored at this track back in March when Elusive In Paris landed a tidy gamble in the Sean O'Brien Slays Dragons Nursery under Niall McCullagh at Dundalk.

McCullagh sported the well-known silks of Joe Keeling on the three times previously raced son of Elusive City. Backed from 25/1 this morning into 6/1 (original favourite Antiquus was a non-runner) Elusive In Paris was never far off the gallop and to his great credit he found plenty when required to hold the challenges of Catfromtherock and Mr Red Clubs (13/2 into 9/2).

Grassick said: "The owner fancied him. He was to run here the last day but got balloted out.

"I didn't know if he'd handle the surface but the ground was too soft for him in the Curragh the last day.

"His run at Leopardstown before that was the first indication that he had ability.

"We might bring him back here now – if not we'll put him away for the year."