Kalellshan leads home Maxim Gorky in front of a big Galway crowd© Photo Healy Racing
Denis Hogan has quickly established himself as a shrewd operator since joining the training ranks and saddled his first Galway winner when Kalellshan took the two-mile handicap hurdle this afternoon.
Promising young claimer Mark Enright excelled on the 7/1 shot as he made every post a winning one.
Well-backed 3/1 favourite (from 11/2) Maxim Gorky looked a big threat before the straight but couldn't peg back the front-runner.
Kalellshan galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a comprehensive five-length success.
It was a third win around the track for the Saddler's Hall gelding, who had notched a double at the 2010 festival
“Mark was super and gave him a great ride. He's some value for the seven pounds,” said Hogan.
“I've ridden a good few winners but my heart was going 110mph there. There's only two or three I've been on the ground for and it's very different. I got some kick out of that.
“Liam (O'Kelly) has been very good to the yard. He sent me a different horse and when he won he said he would sent this lad.
“He had a year-and-a-half off and has been minded like a baby so I'm delighted.
“He's entered in the Galway Hurdle but even with a penalty he wouldn't make the cut. He's also in a two-and-a-half mile hurdle on Wednesday but that might be plenty far enough.
“There is also a chase here on Sunday that he could run in. He's had three runs on the Flat and has improved with every run.
“When we saw that he had 123 we decided to be fair to him, give him every chance by claiming off him and Mark was available.
“It was a hard one but if I'd got chinned on him by half a length I don't think the owners would have been too happy!”
Adrian Heskin suffered a dislocated finger (which was promptly popped back in) and a swollen knee after the fall of Lend A Hand Son four out.
