Kalix Delabarriere wins Naas’ opener Tongue-tied Kalix Delabarriere (8/11f) scored on his third jumps start today, landing Naas’ opening Lily & Wild At The Post Maiden Hurdle for champion trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend. A Ballinrobe bumper winner on debut last May, the five-year-old had finished second at today’s course last month and today raced prominently, led after the second-last and held off runner-up Walk On The Beach by 1.5 lengths. The winning trainer’s son Patrick Mullins reported “I’d say the hood helped him and I think being a Galiway, he’ll be better on better ground: he probably won despite the ground. We’re looking forward to getting him on nice ground. “I’d imagine we’re looking towards Fairyhouse and Punchestown and whether we go for a novice race or a handicap we’ll have to see. We think he’s better than he’s looked on soft ground.” Quotes from Alan Magee
