Kopek Des Bordes was turned over at 1/4 on his return at Naas. Alexei and Taurus Bay landed the two Grade 2s at Aintree, Willie Mullins unveiled another exciting novice hurdler and Cheltenham’s November meeting is almost here. Irish pointing’s greatest rider has also hung up his boots. Here is the racing news today, rounded up for Monday.
Irish Panther stuns Kopek Des Bordes at Naas
Kopek Des Bordes was sent off the 1/4 favourite for the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase on Sunday, but the former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero was disappointing in finishing well beaten by Irish Panther. The nine-year-old, trained by Eddie and Patrick Harty, kicked decisively clear under Kieren Buckley to win by ten lengths at 100/30.
It was Kopek Des Bordes’ first run since he fell at the second-last in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in April, and Willie Mullins pointed to the run being needed. He said the six-year-old needed it “more than maybe I thought”, but was happier with his jumping and hopes it will bring him on for Christmas. Eddie Harty had no doubts about the winner, saying he “won it fair and square”, and Leopardstown’s two-mile Grade 1 over Christmas is the obvious next step.
Alexei, Taurus Bay and Love Me Tender strike
Alexei made his class tell in the Molyneux Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday. Mydaddypaddy was taken out because of the ground, leaving Joe Tizzard’s six-year-old the 4/7 favourite, and he did the job under Harry Cobden, asserting on the long run-in to beat Gordon Elliott’s Mange Tout by four lengths. It was a timely boost to his Champion Hurdle claims.
The Rising Stars Novices’ Chase went to Ben Pauling’s Taurus Bay, who was sent off at 13/2 on his chasing debut. He led after two out and ran on well to beat Talk To The Man by a length-and-a-quarter, while the 8/11 favourite No Drama This End was only fourth. Paul Nicholls’ Challow winner led until hitting three out, and Sam Twiston-Davies reported that he hung left from after the second-last.
Back at Naas on Sunday, Mullins and Paul Townend introduced a smart-looking novice hurdler in Love Me Tender. A winner on his only previous start, the four-year-old was held up in last, cruised through to lead after the final flight and came clear to win by 15 lengths at 1/2.
Cheltenham’s November meeting takes shape
The jumps season steps up again at Cheltenham from Friday to Sunday, and the build-up is well under way. The Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday at 2.20pm is the centrepiece, with Ben Pauling’s Meetmebythesea currently the 4/1 favourite with the sponsors.
Friday’s feature is the Grade 2 Shloer Chase, where Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon is among seven entries. He won the race in 2024 but was beaten 15 lengths by L’Eau du Sud last year. JPR One, second in the Haldon Gold Cup on Friday, and Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park are also entered, with Fry having indicated that he is leaning against the Gold Cup and towards this instead. The Greatwood Hurdle is the big betting race on Sunday.
Ground could be a talking point, with Cheltenham currently good, good to firm in places and watering.
Derek O’Connor retires from the saddle
Derek O’Connor, the most successful point-to-point rider of all time, retired from race-riding with immediate effect on Sunday at the age of 43. He rode more than 1,400 point-to-point winners and won the Irish championship 12 times, the last of those in May.
He also rode six Cheltenham Festival winners, including three National Hunt Chases and the Kim Muir on Inothewayurthinkin, who went on to win the Gold Cup. Edwulf’s Irish Gold Cup win in 2018 was another career highlight. Mullins led the tributes at Naas, calling him “a legend in the game”. O’Connor will now concentrate on training, having taken out a full licence this season.
Racing today
There are three jumps meetings today, at Punchestown, Carlisle and Stratford. The pick of the action is the 1.52pm graduation chase at Carlisle, where Harry Derham’s unbeaten Cristal d’Estruval makes his chasing debut against Dan Skelton’s Be Aware and All The Glory.
| Course | Code | First race | Last race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punchestown | Jumps | 12:00 | 15:45 |
| Carlisle | Jumps | 12:20 | 15:35 |
| Stratford | Jumps | 12:40 | 15:55 |
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