Ground a concern for Kalellshan

Testing ground is a concern for connections ahead of Kalellshan's bid to complete a hat-trick in the Southampton Goodwill Chase at Listowel on Friday.

After winning at the 2010 Galway Festival for Charles Byrnes, the nine-year-old spent almost two years on the sidelines with injury.

His first couple of runs for Denis Hogan after returning suggested his best days may be behind him but he has rediscovered his very best form, winning over hurdles at Galway before bolting up over fences at Killarney.

He faces four talented opponents over two and a half miles in Finger Onthe Pulse, Northern Alliance, Shakervilz and Kerry National also-ran Wellforth.

"It's a nice little race and there's not a lot between them on ratings," said Hogan.

"He's in great form and hopefully he's good enough to go close, but the ground is a big worry.

"I wouldn't be as confident as I would if it was good ground, but we'll let him take his chance and see what happens.

"He's a nine-year-old now but he hasn't got much mileage on the clock as he's had leg problems. Because of that, we don't plan too much with him. We'll just take it one day at a time."

The feature race on the Flat is the valuable Guinness Handicap, which has attracted a field of 12.

Hogan is represented in this race by Inis Meain, who won by seven lengths at Galway and was a creditable third at Killarney last time.

"He's in great form and the only worry with him is that the trip might be a bit sharp," said Hogan.

"Hopefully the ground can make up for that a bit as he does handle testing conditions.

"He won well in Galway and then put up a big show from the front the last day in Killarney.

"We'll let him take his chance again as the owner likes to have runners in Listowel."

One of Inis Meain's chief rivals is the Tommy Stack-trained Parkers Mill, who was a narrow winner of a conditions event at Tipperary.

Stack's son and assistant Fozzy said: "He should run well. The ground is fairly testing and it's hard to be too confident about anything when it's like that, but hopefully he'll run a good race."

Other interesting contenders include Aidan O'Brien's Triumphant, Fatcatinthehat from the Willie Mullins yard and the Dermot Weld-trained Truthwillsetufree.