Kalix Delabarriere strides away© Photo Healy Racing
French-bred Kalix Delabarriere went into plenty of notebooks after quickening away smartly on debut for Willie Mullins in the bumper at Ballinrobe.
The 4/5 favourite was given the office by Patrick Mullins a furlong and a-half from home and left his rivals in his wake entering the straight. Seo Linn to her credit, attempted to chase him down, but the leader had gone inside the final furlong and zoomed in by two and three-quarter lengths.
Newcomer Seo Linn was outgunned in second at 11/4, but Paddy Twomey has plenty to work with. San Franco (14/1 - 8/1) was another two and a-half lengths back in third.
Jockey Mullins said: "He was doing everything right at home. He's by a great stallion in Galiway and has a lovely pedigree.
"We didn't get him to Punchestown for the Land Rover (Bumper), but we were more than happy to come to Ballinrobe. Mystical Power won this race last year and we're not afraid to bring a good horse up here.
"We might let him off, we'll see what Willie says, but he's been in training all winter so might just benefit from a break. I think there's a lot of improvement, mentally, in him and he's a horse with a big future."
The Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr L.T. Turner, rider of ninth-placed Izoom concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, Mr L.T. Turner accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that Mr L.T. Turner was in breach of R.10.3(b) by using his whip unnecessarily when his chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone. Having considered his record in this regard(second offence under Regulation 10), they suspended him for four race days.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
