Leitir finds Elusive too good

Leitir Mor yet again failed to shed his maiden tag as he found the Ger Lyons trained Very Elusive too good in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Median Auction Maiden.

The Jim Bolger trained colt was sent off the even money favourite under Kevin Manning but he couldn't pass the winner close home and went down by a length at the line.

Very Elusive under Emmet McNamara was sent off at 16/1 on his third career start (two poor efforts in maidens to his name) and after chasing the leader early on he was fifth at the halfway point.

He made headway into third a furlong and a half from home before being ridden to challenge a furlong out. He soon led and kept on well in the final furlong to score from Leitir Mor in second.

English raider Polish Crown attempted to make all but had to settle for third, a further half a length back, after being headed under a furlong from home with Fran Berry aboard for Mark Johnston at 2/1.

Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said afterwards: "The penny is just dropping with him. He is a big backward 2yo and he has taken time.

"He’ll be an exciting 3yo but we are hoping there is another nice 2yo race in him but it’s all about next year with him.

"Six furlongs is ideal for him but next year he will get further."

Winning rider Emmet McNamara added: “He did it well and improved a lot from the last run.

The second horse is rated 102 and while he maybe didn’t run up to that it was a decent performance. He is a nice one to look forward too."

The winner is a half-brother to three time English winners Seek N’Destroy and Dream Number.

(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)