Kopek Des Bordes Sidelined For Christmas As Minor Setback Forces Leopardstown Delay

Siobhan Mullins / 5:53 AM GMT • 11th December, 2025

2 minutes

The hugely talented novice may miss his festive assignment due to a minor interruption in training, but all signs from Closutton suggest Kopek Des Bordes will be back firing soon with the Irish Arkle shaping as the next major stepping stone.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero Kopek Des Bordes will not take up his festive assignment at Leopardstown after a small setback left Willie Mullins with no choice but to ease off the gas. The exciting five year old, who looked every inch a top drawer chaser when sauntering home on debut at Navan, has had a tiny chip removed from his knee and will now sit out the Christmas action.

Connections had been eyeing the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase on December 26, a natural stepping stone for a horse already being whispered about as Mullins’ next big two mile star. But owner Charlie McCarthy confirmed on Wednesday that plans have shifted slightly, with the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival emerging as the new main target.

McCarthy explained: 

The horse’s easy Navan success, where Paul Townend barely moved on him, had bookmakers scrambling and the setback has caused a predictable ripple in the ante post markets. Kopek Des Bordes drifted slightly to around 2 to 1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham, while market rival Lulamba tightened to 7 to 4 and the ever popular Romeo Coolio, fresh from another eye catching round of schooling at Mullins’ open morning, also shortened into 4 to 1.

There has also been plenty of chat regarding Mullins’ wider novice squad, with Ballyburn expected to reappear soon and Kalif Du Berlais attracting enthusiastic mentions after some sharp work at home. The champion trainer is still loaded with talent for the months ahead, even without Kopek Des Bordes taking part at Christmas.

For McCarthy and the family, the outlook remains positive. It is a very small setback and the plan is simply to wait for the Dublin Racing Festival. If Kopek Des Bordes returns in the same mood as he showed at Navan, excitement will build quickly once again.