Lung lasts out to win opening race at Naas Free-going Kai Lung (6/1) made all the running to win Naas’ opening Nursery Of Champions Maiden Hurdle today, scoring for champion trainer Willie Mullins, his nephew jockey Danny Mullins and the Slaneyville Syndicate. Bought by Mullins for €80,000 last July, the son of Galiway led from the start in today’s 12-runner race and while he became very keen before halfway, he eventually capitalised on the second-last flight blunder of stablemate Mon Creuset (1/1f). Kai Lung battled top a two lengths-win over academy hurdle-winner Lynches Knock, with J.P. McManus’ Saratoga staying on promisingly in third. Mullins’ assistant David Casey said “he did it well. It wasn’t the plan to make it but it looked like there was no pace and he can be a little keen, so Danny thought he’d settle in front. Even at that, he was a bit ‘gassy’ but he jumped well. “When the other horse (stablemate Mon Creuset) made a mistake at the second last, the winner got left there but kept battling from there. It was a good performance in the end in that ground and it looked like a competitive race. Obviously the runner-up had had a couple of runs and the third was a decent Flat horse as well. “He had a good few runs on the Flat himself so had plenty of experience. He kept galloping away well after being keen, which was good.” Quotes from Gary Carson
