Kopes Des Bordes owners relishing 'dream' Cheltenham trip
The five-year-old is bidding to build on an eye-catching Dublin Racing Festival success
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Charlie McCarthy (third from left) with his sons and trainer Willie Mullins at Leopardstown
The owners of Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Kopek Des Bordes are relishing their raid on Prestbury Park as they bid to continue their fairytale story.
The five-year-old justified an odds-on starting price with a convincing 13-length victory in the G1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, leading to jubilant scenes in the parade ring for Charlie McCarthy and his four sons – one of whom had travelled over from Dubai to witness the race.
It continued the unbeaten run for the son of No Risk At All, who trainer Willie Mullins nominated as his Festival ‘banker’ at a recent media open morning – after describing the performance as ‘mind-blowing’.
"We're looking at a good one here!"
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 2, 2025
𝐊𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐤 𝐃𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐬 produces an extraordinary performance in the @Tattersalls_ie Novice Hurdle @LeopardstownRC 🌟@WillieMullinsNH's five-year-old holds entries in the Supreme and Turners @CheltenhamRaces #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/s5SIjnlTgB
McCarthy, of Monabeg Investment Ltd, was similarly impressed and said: “Well, when you see a horse like that… I was nervous because last year he didn’t jump a hurdle,
“But when he jumped the first two, I knew in my own heart and soul this was going to be something special.
“To have my four boys with me and to see them cry – I can’t buy that happiness. I just can’t buy anything like that. No money can buy what I felt with my four boys. It’s a dream come true for the whole family and we’re over the moon.
McCarthy could scarcely believe what he had witnessed as Kopek Des Bordes cantered home, with Karniquet his nearest pursuer and British raider Good And Clever a further nine lengths adrift in third.
“The party was on when he went over the last, we knew he’d get home comfortably,” he added. “I didn’t think he’d win as easily and as comfortably as he did. The price justified the way he won.
“It was breathtaking. It’s a dream. I keep pinching myself thinking, is this a dream? But it’s real.
“I have a lovely horse on my hands and look, Cheltenham - we’re going there with a very realistic chance. And we’ll go there and be proud, win lose or draw.”
Which race he runs in is now the question. Mullins is weighing up the Supreme but has also hinted he could step up in trip for the 2m5f Turners Novices’ Hurdle, where a clash with Challow Hurdle winner The New Lion, now in the colours of JP McManus, looms as a tantalising prospect.
But McCarthy knows the decision is out of his hands. “Willie hasn’t told me yet what he’ll run in. I asked him the question and they were all laughing. It’s Willie who calls the tune, I listen to Willie.”
It is all a far cry from McCarthy’s first visit to Closutton, when he was led out onto the gallops by the trainer having chosen some ill-advised footwear.
“I didn’t think Willie would bring me up and down the fields,” McCarthy said. “I threw the shoes in the bin when I went home!”