Michael Halford's Aga Khan-owned Kalaroun shed his maiden tag in first-time cheek-pieces at Dundalk today, narrowly landing the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Handicap under jockey Ronan Whelan.

Having his eighth start, the three year old son of Starspangledbanner was prominent throughout, improved to lead inside the final furlong and stayed on well for a head win from Hurricane Alex

Afterwards Whelan, who will be reunited with Prix de l'Abbaye winner A Case Of You in next month's Breeders Cup, stated “he ran well in a couple of maidens as a two-year-old and we’re surprised it’s taken until now to win with him.

“It’s been a bit frustrating as his homework has been good and hopefully that might give him a bit of confidence. He’s versatile ground wise and trip wise. He handles the surface here but can go on the turf as well.

“The boss has done a good job with him and it was his instructions to be forward on him and it worked out.”

Quotes from Alan Magee