Kopek Des Bordes will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival after Willie Mullins decided not to compete in the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday.
The winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle would clash with Gordon Elliott’s Romeo Coolio in what would have been one of the highlights of day one action at Leopardstown, especially after Kopek Des Bordes missed a planned outing over the Christmas period with a minor setback.
However, his name was missing from the small field of three on Thursday morning as the Closutton team switched their focus to Prestbury Park in March.
Owner Charles McCarthy said: “Willie called me this morning and said he wasn’t going to run. He’s working well and everything is positive, but he’s just not happy taking 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 plan B was and he said we were going straight to Cheltenham. I never challenge Willie and I respect his calls, I’d rather have a horse than no horse.”
“I’m devastated that he won’t be running like everyone else on Saturday, but we have to put the horse first.”
Kopek Des Bordes has been eased to 4-1 for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival with some bookmakers.
However, McCarthy confirmed this would be the most likely destination for his popular six-year-old, where he could have a mouthwatering clash with Nicky Henderson’s current race favorite Lulamba.
He added: “We’re aiming for the Arkle and at the moment that’s what we’re thinking about. Willie has his eyes firmly on Cheltenham and didn’t want to put the horse at risk this weekend, so the Arkle is what we’re aiming for.”
#Kopek #Des #Bordes #straight #Cheltenham #Races