Shalaman (Leigh Roche) beating the partly-hidden Fairylike© Photo Healy Racing
Shalaman ended a frustrating sequence of placed efforts when getting up in the closing stages of the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Apprentice Handicap.
The Oratorio gelding was awarded a race in the stewards room at Killarney in July but has hit the crossbar on a number of occasions since.
Leigh Roche produced the well-backed 7/2 joint-favourite with a sustained challenge from off the pace, getting up in the closing strides to deny top-weight Fairylike (14/1) by a neck. Carvelas (16/1) was a further three quarters of a length back in third.
Winning trainer Denis Hogan said, “It’s been a while coming but I’ve never questioned his attitude. He’s as genuine as they come.
“He may come back here next Friday as he needs good ground or the October Handicap at Naas is another option.
Hogan was at pains to thank his staff for their part in his success adding, “I just wouldn’t be able to do this without my staff. They are top class. We are doing a maintenance job on the gallop at the moment, and I think they are still out working at the minute.”
