Shabra Emperor ran out the well backed (14/1 into 8s) winner of the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap at Dundalk this evening, providing trainer Anthony McCann with a second winner since taking over the license held by the late Oliver Brady.

The winning son of Holy Roman Emperor was produced with a well timed challenge by Fran Berry (doubling up on the evening) for a length win over Elusive In Paris

McCann, who took over Brady's license in September and registered his furst winnner with Shabra's Bertolini on November 15, later stated “he's a tricky horse. He's a monkey really but when he gets it right, he gets it right.

“I thought if anybody could give him a ride it was Fran as he needs to be settled and come with a run. No-one could have given him a ride like Fran.

“Hopefully the handicapper is not too hard on him and he'll come back again. He loves this surface and we give him a break in the summer as he doesn't seem to adapt to grass.

“The horses are going very well. I have a great team behind me with Rita Shah (winning owner) and the boys in the yard.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson