Kopek Des Bordes another star novice

Twenty four hours after Final Demand had booked his place for Cheltenham with an impressive win in the Grade 1 staying novice hurdle at Leopardstown, stablemate Kopek Des Bordes produced an even better display in the Grade 1 novice over two miles on day two of the DRF. Despite a shoddy round of jumping and racing too keenly, the No Risk At All gelding had won on his jumping bow over the same C&D on St Stephen's Day. Paul Townend took over in the saddle and even though he was enthusiastic early on, Willie Mullins' runner jumped much better and dominated his nine opponents a long way from home. Once he negotiated the second last and the loose horse, he effortlessly pulled clear and the result was never in doubt. Needless to say, the unbeaten five year old is a short price favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and it will take a very good horse to end that winning sequence. The Closutton team could have as many as five or six runners in the Festival opener but it impossible to see Townend getting off the stable's latest superstar. Incidentally, Kopek Des Bordes's winning time was over two seconds quicker than both the Irish Champion Hurdle and the valuable handicap hurdle won by State Man and McLaurey respectively.

Indeed, it proved another hugely successful meeting for Willie Mullins with 7 winners - 6 of which were Grade 1's - from 53 runners. Ballyburn got his career back on track with a comfortable success in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase over two miles five. Having found two miles at Kempton behind Sir Gino too sharp, the former Cheltenham Festival winner was much more at home over this longer trip - his jumping was assured and Paul Townend didn't panic once challenged by dual Grade 1 winner Croke Park at the last. Staying on well to win by five lengths, the ex-pointer looks as though he will thrive over an extra three furlongs at Prestbury Park in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. 

A few other statistics to take from the DRF - Gordon Elliott and Henry De Bromhead both drew a blank. Elliott had 25 runners, while De Bromhead's eight runners produced form figures of 75467009. However, it proved a much more profitable couple of days for Gavin Cromwell, whose string continue in superb form. His 9 runners produced 3 winners. 

There were 2 winners from 3 runners for the Top 40 on Sunday. Aside from Kopek Des Bordes at Leopardstown, Tripoli Flyer justified strong market support in the Scottish Supreme Novices' Hurdle to win the two miles contest in Musselburgh in effortless fashion. While the Getaway gelding's jumping still requires some fine tuning, Fergal O'Brien's youngster certainly possesses an engine and he readily swept aside the 124 rated runner-up Cloonainra who had filled the same position in the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle at Haydock on his previous start. Entered in the Supreme NH at Cheltenham, he is all speed and it is hoped he is aimed at Aintree instead. Alternatively, one could envisage him winning something like the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr (12th April) the following week. 

The February Update highlighted a few horses for the Cheltenham Festival and the likes of Karniquet, McLaurey and Wingmen justified their inclusion with promising displays at Leopardstown. In addition, our ante-post portfolio for the Grand National is looking healthy, too. Clients have also got the William Hill Newbury Handicap Hurdle next Saturday to look forward to. I am working at Carlisle on Monday for Racing TV and then it is time to switch codes and concentrate on the Flat - my annual trip to Newmarket is impending. 

The Cheltenham Festival is a little over six weeks away - if you haven't ordered your copy of the One Jump Ahead Cheltenham Festival Update, or the Aintree Grand National Update, please go to the Publications section of the site.