Kalsman gave Newry handler Liam Lennon his first winner in over two years on the racecourse when running out an easy winner of the second division of the amateur handicap hurdle at Downpatrick.

The Kalanisi gelding was easy to back in the two-mile-five contest, drifting from 8/1 out to 16/1, but cruised to the front before the last under John Williamson.

He soon asserted after the final flight and Williamson could afford to ease up late on as the six-year-old posted a cosy six-and-a-half length win over 80/1 shot Ghumama

It was a first success at the 21st attempt for the winner and Lennon said:-

Lennon said: "I think he has been actually crying out for a trip, I have never run him over further than 2m1f before. He travelled nicely.

"I've always had faith in him. It has just taken him a long time to mature.

"I thought Josh gave him a lovely ride, he thought he was there a bit soon, but it is what it is.

"I'll keep him at it all summer over that sort of trip and I'd love to run him over fences to be honest.

"Hopefully he will go on a bit more too and win another one for the owner (William Anderson) who has been with me a long time. He's a very loyal man and is from Scarva."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)