The Mullins' combine as Champ Kiely wins the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Naas in exceptional style

Champ Kiely with Danny Mullins on board has won the Lawlor's Of Naas Grade 1 Novice Hurdle in Naas today. The eventual winner was off at 11/4 and second favourite with some late money coming on the all Mullins combo with the winners being trained by Willie and ridden by his nephew Danny.

Danny Mullins and Champ Kiely led a most of the two mile and four furlong distance before pulling clear towards the end for an exceptionally impressive win.

The first Irish Grade 1 of 2023 is an enormous win for trainer Wille Mullins in its own right but the Naas’ January main event has often been an indicator of potential winning form heading into the Cheltenham.

Both Bob Olinger (2021) and Envoi Allen (2020) have followed victory at Naas with wins in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham later in the year.

Irish Point was second past the post for Gordon Elliott, the horse ridden by Jack Kennedy was second best this time around to Champ Kiely, who took control of this race early and never relinquished it.

It was a disappointment for favourite Grangeclare West who failed to make the same type of impression the other Mullins trained horse did in this race.