WILLIE MULLINS has pulled superstar Kopek Des Bordes OUT of the Dublin Racing Festival.
Last year’s stunning Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner was being lined up to take on Romeo Coolio and others in a belting Irish Arkle.
But just three – Romeo Coolio, Kargese and Downmexicoway – will contest that Grade 1 now.
A market drift on Kopek Des Bordes, who looked solid on chase debut at Navan last November, ultimately told – and bookies have pushed him out to as big as 5-1 for the Arkle as well.
Firms including Paddy Power had held strong on Kopek Des Bordes’ price for the Irish equivalent while Gordon Elliott’s Romeo Coolio and Kopek Des Bordes’ stablemate Kargese were backed in.
David McCarthy, part of the family who own Kopek Des Bordes, had said in several posts on X the horse remained in good health following his operation to remove a floating chip.
Mullins is playing the long game, though, and giving him more time to be A1 for March’s Cheltenham.
Charlie McCarthy, figurehead of the McCarthy clan, confirmed that the plan ‘at the moment’ is for the horse to go straight to the Arkle.
It means he will attempt to win one of the most prestigious chases in the calendar on the back of just one run over fences.
Kopek Des Bordes also missed a planned engagement at Christmas.
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Charlie said at the time: “The horse had a floating chip removed from his knee. A very, very, very minor operation.
“We were told by the vets that he will be ready to run at Christmas after winning in Navan.
“But it just took a little bit extra to heal. It has healed but he (Mullins) said he missed seven to ten days and he wouldn’t feel happy with his preparation to run at Christmas.
“It’s a minor, minor, minor thing that happened and Kopek will give his supporters joy in their heart for a long time to come.”
But in fresh update today, Charlie added: “Willie rang me this morning and said he won’t run.
“He’s working well and everything is positive but he’s just not happy to take on these horses at the moment.
“He just needs a little more time and that’s what he doesn’t have before Saturday.
“I asked him what was plan B and he said we’re going straight to Cheltenham.
“We were 95 per cent sure we’d run, so it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but he’s only six and Willie is a specialist – we know he’ll have him good and ready for Cheltenham.
“I never challenge Willie and I respect his calls, I’d rather have a horse than not have a horse.
“I’m broken-hearted he won’t run on Saturday like everyone else but we have to put the horse first.
“We’re aiming for the Arkle and at the moment that’s where we are thinking.
“Willie has his eyes firmly set on Cheltenham and didn’t want to jeopardise the horse this weekend, so the Arkle is what we’re gunning for.”
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