Shalaman shows improved form at dundalk

Kilmessan trainer Matthew Smith had the pleasure of some interest from the stewards at Dundalk last night after Shalaman won a handicap at the Louth track following a break of more than two months.

On the last outing at Dundalk Shalaman finished last of 11 behind Hardstone over two furlongs more than last night’s one mile and two contest as the Kilmessan horse won by a neck despite a slow start out of the stalls.

The Stewards requested a report from the trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Shalaman.

The trainer reported that Shalaman disappointed on his last start in November for no obvious reason and was given a break and freshened up since which appears to have helped the horse rediscover his form.

“I gave him a few weeks off and freshened him up. I was disappointed with him the last day, but the time before that he ran well when he was third to Gretzky,” said the trainer.

Gretzky is also trained in Kilmessan.