'There aren't many who can do that' - Willie Mullins wowed by Kopek Des Bordes as he is slashed to 7-4 Supreme favourite

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Kopek Des Bordes was slashed to 7-4 favourite (from 12) by Ladbrokes for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle after a spectacular display in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle, taking over the mantle from stablemate Salvator Mundi.

His maiden hurdle win here at Christmas suggested he had a significant engine, although his jumping left a lot to be desired. However, he put it all together here. 

From some way out the imposing son of No Risk At All was tanking under Paul Townend. It looked too good to be true, but it proved anything but. 

He went clear before the second-last without Townend applying any pressure, and the only danger was the attentions of a loose horse at that point. Townend extricated his mount from trouble and was rewarded with big and clean jumps at the final two flights. It was supremely impressive as he came home 13 lengths clear of stablemate Karniquet, with British challenger Good And Clever a creditable third for Warren Greatrex and James Bowen.

The result was a 13th win in this Grade 1 for Willie Mullins, who said: "That was a huge performance. The horse was very keen and free, but Paul just let him have his head going to his hurdles and he jumped much better than he did here at Christmas.

"We thought he would win his bumper and his maiden hurdle, but it is hard to tell if they are this good. Very few show you that at home. 

"He was a beautiful horse at the sales. He was not the greatest walker but he had the pedigree, he had the size and the scope and we took a chance on him. He can gallop, though. 

"We did a good bit of schooling after the last day. Paul was good on him, letting him jump his hurdles instead of holding him back after the experience he had last time. 

"I imagine we will stay at that trip. He needs a fast pace and could easily make it himself."

Townend said: "It was brave of him not to follow the loose horse and go down and jump the second-last like he did, because he is very inexperienced. That showed here at Christmas, but he has improved leaps and bounds since then. 

"I never had to dip him at all. I thought we were hacking, but he was running away with me in the back straight. There aren't many who can do that."

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 11)
Sky Bet: 5-4 Kopek Des Bordes, 4 Salvator Mundi, The New Lion, Lulamba, 5 Romeo Coolio, 9 Workahead, 10 Final Demand, 12 Kawaboomga, Finiculi Finicula, Kiss Will, 16 bar.

Read more:

Solness makes all to bag another Grade 1 at Leopardstown with favourite Gaelic Warrior well beaten  

State Man breezes to third successive Irish Champion Hurdle after fall of stablemate Lossiemouth  

Willie Mullins 'never lost faith' in Ballyburn as top novice cut to 15-8 favourite for Brown Advisory after Grade 1 win 

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