Byrne's Kali proves King at Listowel

Former Kerry National winning owner Sean Byrne trained King Kali to win the Brandon Hotel Handicap Hurdle at Listowel.

Byrne, whose Lanturn won the feature in 1999 for Pat Hughes, enjoyed training success in his own right with the eight-year-old Kalanisi gelding.

Prominent throughout under Kevin Sexton, the 8/1 chance moved fifth after the third last, before moving up to dispute entering the home straight.

Heading Impero before the final flight, King Kali stayed on strongly on the run-in to win by two-and-a-half lengths.

“He was very good. We declared him on the chance of the rain coming and when it did it really suited him. We're delighted,” said Sean Byrne junior.

“He had been running well in handicaps early on in the year and on his form I thought he had a right chance.

“We're waiting a while for him so it's nice to get a win with him.

“His mother was a very good mare for us, Oilily, and that's the second one that's won out of her now.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.