rocketed to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favouritism in extending his unbeaten run to three with an effortless victory in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at
.
Winner of a Fairyhouse bumper last season, Kopek Des Bordes had opened his hurdles account with victory at this track over Christmas and despite fog hindering viewing that day, punters were confident the five-year-old had posted an eyecatching run.
Willie Mullins’ charge was sent off the 4-5 market leader on the back of that and while Paul Townend’s mount got mildly distracted by a loose horse on the run for home, the result was never in doubt.
He jumped the last well clear of the field and sauntered home 13 lengths ahead of stablemate Karniquet, with Warren Greatrex’s British raider Good And Clever claiming an honourable third at Grade One level.
Kopek Des Bordes was cut to 7-4 from 12-1 with Coral for the Supreme at Cheltenham next month, while Betfair go 6-4 about his chances.