Kopek Des Bordes has looked like a top-class horse in flashes, but his chasing career has still barely got going. Willie Mullins’ Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner is among the entries for Sunday’s Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas, due off at 2.39pm.
It would be only his fourth start over fences and his ninth race in all. He has won his big race at Cheltenham, nearly repeated the feat in the Arkle after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but arrives here after a fall at Punchestown. The Naas race is a chance to put another proper run on the board and lay down an early marker for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
A Supreme hero with a tall reputation
Kopek Des Bordes’ first eight career starts represent a sharp ascent to the top under Willie Mullins’ care. He won his Fairyhouse bumper on debut in March 2024, then made a winning hurdle debut at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. A Grade 1 at the same track followed in February before he took the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2025.
His fourth next time out in Punchestown’s Champion Novice Hurdle the following month was the unusual blip. Having gone far too quick, he still arrived to challenge before two out, only to weaken substantially and finish 19 lengths behind the winner, stablemate Irancy. That was his only defeat over hurdles.
A promising first jump at Navan
There was then a long gap before his chasing debut at Navan last November. He went through the race keenly, but was in no danger throughout under Paul Townend, broadly jumping well.
That was the one chase run he had behind him when he returned in the Arkle at Cheltenham. It was a serious test for a horse with so little fencing experience, and he still finished second, beaten two-and-a-quarter lengths behind Kargese, but ahead of main market rival Lulamba. Kopek Des Bordes made a mistake at the second and another at the last just as he was challenging, losing ground he could not recover.
Punchestown fall leaves the question open
The Punchestown Grade 1 he contested in April was meant to lay further groundwork for his first season in open company. Instead, it left the same questions hanging, as Kopek Des Bordes had moved into the lead before falling at the second-last.
That was disappointing, but once again, he was not beaten by a lack of ability. The raw engine has been there from the start, but Mullins will be keen that a clear round at Naas is secured before targeting him against higher company.
Five possible rivals at Naas
Kopek Des Bordes has five possible opponents on Sunday, with declarations due later this week. Irish Panther is the established name among them, having finished second in a pair of novice Grade 1s last term, while Bowensonfire, Westport Cove, Rockstown Girl and Andyourbirdcansing complete the entry list.
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