A dramatic renewal of the Barberstown Novice Chase was won by Salvator Mundi for Willie Mullins and Harry Cobden. The Grade 1 prize was the feature novice chase on Thursday and was packed with incident.
The main storyline revolved around odds-on favourite Kopek Des Bordes. Spoken of in many quarters as the next big thing at Closutton, he mas missed most of 2025/26 through injury. He returned for just his second chase start at Cheltenham last month, though. Only a game front-running and bold-jumping performance from stablemate Kargese prevented him from a brilliant victory.
As a result, he was made a strong odds-on favourite to gain compensation at Punchestown. However, inexperience told, as the six-year-old repeatedly jumped to his left. Nevertheless, he still led going easily enough under Paul Townend with two fences to jump.
At the second last though, with Townend asking for a response, Kopek Des Bordes plunged forwards. A crashing fall opened the door for stablemate Salvator Mundi, often in Kopek Des Bordes’ shadow in the last two seasons. Despite himself having jumping issues a Aintree last time out, he took advantage. Held up off the pace, he overcame pacesetter Irish Panther under an opportunistic Harry Cobden ride.
“He’s no back number” – Mullins on Salvator Mundi
Though inevitably disappointed by the fall of Kopek Des Bordes, who galloped away unscathed, Willie Mullins was delighted for owners the Donnellys. They have been unfortunate to lose Sir Gino this season, while State Man has missed the entire campaign through injury.
“He (Salvator Mundi) was there to pick up the pieces,” Mullins said to the Racing Post. “And who knows, he may have played a part in it anyway,” he said.
“He probably needs nicer ground. He’s probably more of a spring horse than a real winter horse. He’s good in his own right, he was right on the premises. If Kopek made a mistake there and got away with it, your man was right up his tail.
“He’s no back number. I’m delighted for Joe and Marie Donnelly. They’ve had a disappointing season, but now they have this fellow.”
On Kopek Des Bordes, Mullins was philosophical about the mistake made, but clearly has not lost hope for his chasing future.
“Everything was going right. He probably just lost his attention going to the fence without horses around him to keep him focused. He appeared to take off but never put out his landing gear.”
Plans for the pair for next season likely revolve around the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.