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It was a straightforward return for our exciting homebred Extra Elusive at Nottingham on Thursday, as he made short work of the 1m2f novice under Silvestre de Sousa.

The son of Mastercraftsman had gone into many notebooks when landing his debut at Newbury last October and as a result was sent off as the 1/6 favourite to maintain his unbeaten record. The result was never in doubt; although Extra Elusive missed the break, he quickened smoothly into contention and never came off the bridle to register a two-and-a-quarter length win over Drap d’Or.

“Extra Elusive has been off a long time and we expected him to improve for the run today,” said Harry Charlton. “Last year at Newbuy he was very green and missed the break, then went around them and learned nothing really. We half expected him to be slow again, although not that slow and he may need another session or two at the stalls.

Extra Elusive returns with his lad Satchin

“What it did mean was that we were able to ride a race on him and teach him something. Dad was keen to tell Silvestre to do that on him. He picked up pretty quickly when asked and going between horses and on the rail will have taught him plenty. We’ll look to step him up in grade, although I wouldn’t know where yet.”

Extra Elusive is out of Nessina and therefore a half-brother to Ajaya, our homebred winner of the Gimcrack Stakes who now stands at Rathbarry Stud. Extra Elusive is the third foal out of the daughter of Hennessy, who is a sister to Tantina, in turn dam of the smart young sires Bated Breath, a Group 1 sprinter on his day, and Cityscape, himself a Group 1 winner. Both were also trained at Beckhampton by Roger Charlton.

It is also the further family of champion Australian sire Redoute’s Choice.

Nessina, who was purchased by Tony Nerses for 300,000gns to join Blue Diamond Stud in 2012, also has a two year-old filly by Dansili with Roger Charlton and a yearling colt by Fastnet Rock. She foaled a cracking filly by Fastnet Rock this year and returned to Siyouni.