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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Parisian the toast of Champs Elysees

Tue 7th Aug 2018, 19:41

Parisian wins under Phillip EnrightParisian wins under Phillip Enright
© Photo Healy Racing

Parisian was driven out by Phillip Enright to land the first three-year-old maiden hurdle of the season in Roscommon.

The 10/1 shot moved travelled sweetly just behind Elysian Plains and picked him off at the third-last. Smiling Eliza proved to be the biggest theat after the second-last as Elysian Plains made a mistake there.

However, Parisian wasn't for catching and came in by two lengths from Smiling Eliza (4/1). Elysian Plains, the 4/6 favourite, was 12 lengths adrift in third.

Trainer Edward O'Grady said: "It's a much better result than when Kay Russell, the owner, came over for Leopardstown (when the horse was withdrawn) and I think the stall handlers were in a rush home and the result was didn't load.

"It was very good of her to come over today for more so we were delighted. He was bought as a hurdler and that's what he will continue to do.

"He's a very nice horse and is by a very good stallion (Champs Elysees) and I think he's going to make his mark as a National Hunt stallion. It was one of the reasons I bought him because of his pedigree but he was also a winner when I bought him [of a handicap at Kempton for Ralph Beckett in April].

"He'll run in the next winners' race. He was a good purchase - sometimes we get it right!"

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.