Kalellshan pops the last under Denis Hogan© Photo Healy Racing
Kalellshan made all to record a convincing eleven length success in the feature race at Killarney today, the Grade C www.lakehotel.com Handicap Chase for his jockey/trainer Denis Hogan.
The 9yo son of Saddlers' Hall won twice at the 2010 Galway Festival for his then trainer Charles Byrnes but he wasn't seen on the racecourse again until June of this year when he had his first start for Hogan at Limerick.
On his third start for Hogan he ran a cracker over the course to finish second to Drive Time in a 1m 6f race on the level and he followed up on that run by winning on his next start in a handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival.
Back over fences today for the first time since September 2009 he made all the running and kicked clear after the second last to score by an easy eleven lengths at the line. Orpheus Valley finished second at 12/1 for Thomas Gibney and Adrian Heskin while Torphichen was a further two lengths back in third at 10/1 for Edward O'Grady and Mark Walsh. Kotkidy (4/1) looked beaten in third when he crashed out at the second last under Davy Russell and unfortunately he never got up after that fall.
The winner was returned the 9/4 favourite after opening at 10/3 with Paddy Powers this morning and 3/1 on track.
Denis Hogan said afterwards: "His jumping was so good. He has so much scope I was trying not to set him alight.
"I'm very happy with that and while I'm not sure now where he will go, two to two and a half miles is his best trip.
"It's great for his connections after he was off for nearly two years."
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
