February 02 / 13.40 Leopardstown

13.40

Soft

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £73140.5
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 10 runners
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Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

4/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-1 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressive winner of a Fairyhouse bumper last Easter; kicked every hurdle out of the way when beating stable companion and subsequent winner Kawaboomga (Whinney Hill third) in a maiden hurdle here at Christmas; clearly has a huge engine to win like he did that day and any improvement in his jumping will make him hard to beat here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

17:25 Punchestown

Kopek Des Bordes

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Was the outstanding novice hurdler of last season with two Grade 1 wins including the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham; had an excuse when well below that form at this meeting last year; made an impressive chasing debut at Navan; then had a chip taken out of a knee, so lacked experience but still ran a cracker in the Arkle; with more to come he will be difficult to beat today.

1/2

2nd

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Kopek Des Bordes

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Travelled strongly when landing the odds in last year's Supreme (good to soft) before running no sort of race at Punchestown; dispatched inferior opposition with minimum of fuss on debut over fences at Navan (2m1f, soft/heavy) in November; hasn't been seen since (had a loose chip removed from a knee in December) and lacks the chasing experience of his rivals, but he certainly possesses the X factor and he's the one to beat with a clear round.

6/4

4th

4

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 149y

16:15 Punchestown

Kopek Des Bordes

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Unbeaten in a bumper and three hurdle races; didn't impress with his jumping on hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas but blew away his rivals in a Grade 1 at the track next time; again made some mistakes when winning the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham but was well on top at the finish; the hood worn then is retained and is difficult to oppose today.

4/6

33/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 22-15 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressed when beating a subsequent winner in a maiden hurdle at Tramore in November; well below his best behind a few of these in the Grade 1 at Christmas; better than that and could well outrun his odds here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:37 Fairyhouse

Karniquet

11st 4lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Ex-French; won well at Tramore on debut for Willie Mullins; subsequently beaten in Leopardstown Grade 1 contests won by Romeo Coolio and stablemate Kopek Des Bordes, running well on the latter occasion to take second place; fine effort when fourth in the Supreme Novices', in front of Friday's Grade 1-winning stablemate Salvator Mundi.

5/4

2nd

7

6th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

15:37 Fairyhouse

Karniquet

11st 4lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Ex-French; won well at Tramore on debut for Willie Mullins; subsequently beaten in Leopardstown Grade 1 contests won by Romeo Coolio and stablemate Kopek Des Bordes, running well on the latter occasion to take second place; fine effort when fourth in the Supreme Novices', in front of Friday's Grade 1-winning stablemate Salvator Mundi.

5/4

4th

4

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 87y

Class 1

13:20 Cheltenham

Karniquet

11st 7lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Ex-French 5yo who won well at Tramore (2m, soft to heavy) on debut for Willie Mullins; subsequently beaten in Leopardstown Grade 1 contests won by Romeo Coolio and stablemate Kopek Des Bordes, running well last time but no match for the winner; fitting of hood needs to make a difference.

40/1

OUR TIP

25/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 13-23 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Wide margin bumper winner; built on a good hurdles debut at Newbury when third in a Grade 1 at Aintree over Christmas; more needed here though and might just want further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Good And Clever

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Close third to Horaces Pearl in the Grade 2 bumper here last April; no match for Regent's Stroll on hurdle debut at Newbury and although he's been a creditable third in two Grade 1s since, on this track and at Leopardstown, he has his work cut out here and the drying ground spells danger.

16/1

8th

4

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Good And Clever

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Close third to Horaces Pearl in the Grade 2 bumper here last April; no match for Regent's Stroll on hurdle debut at Newbury and although he's been a creditable third in two Grade 1s since, on this track and at Leopardstown, he has his work cut out here and the drying ground spells danger.

16/1

Form: 5/F1 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Was travelling when falling on his seasonal bow at Navan in December; did what he had to in a 2m4f maiden hurdle here at Christmas; strong traveller and the drop back to this trip should suit; still an unknown quantity.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Kaid dAuthie

11st 7lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

Has improved drastically for fences, finishing second to Kitzbuhel on debut before winning at Fairyhouse (2m6f, yielding) and in Grade 1 at Dublin Racing Festival (extended 2m5f, soft; beat Western Fold by just over 4l); impressed with his jumping and how he stuck to his task last time, attributes you need for this race, and he sets the standard on form; leading player.

13/2

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 107y

13:10 Leopardstown

Kaid dAuthie

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

Smart novice hurdler last season, winning twice but was found wanting on both ventures into this grade; however, already looks a better chaser, finishing runner-up to subsequent Grade 1-winning stablemate Kitzbuhel at Punchestown before winning a beginners' at Fairyhouse (2m6f); capable of a big run.

13/2

1st

3

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 3f 58y

15:40 Punchestown

Kaid dAuthie

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

didn't jump with fluency, made virtually all, disputed lead, led 1st, hit 3rd, hit 4th, not fluent 5th, mistake 3 out, pushed along when good jump last, ridden and kept on well run-in, stayed on

4/1

Form: 41-112 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Decent novice, winning a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle and a Grade 3 novice at Navan; probably stepped up on that when a well beaten second to stablemate Romeo Coolio here at Christmas; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:40 Leopardstown

Bleu De Vassy

11st 12lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Decent novice, winning a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle and a Grade 3 novice at Navan; probably stepped up on that when a well beaten second to stablemate Romeo Coolio here at Christmas; others preferred.

7/1

6th

1

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:40 Leopardstown

Bleu De Vassy

11st 12lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Decent novice, winning a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle and a Grade 3 novice at Navan; probably stepped up on that when a well beaten second to stablemate Romeo Coolio here at Christmas; others preferred.

7/1

2nd

1

27th Dec 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

13:45 Leopardstown

Bleu De Vassy

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

visibility reduced by fog, in touch with leaders

6/1

33/1

Form: 35-14

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Comfortably landed a Clonmel maiden hurdle in December; had his limitations exposed in the Grade 1 here at Christmas (behind Bleu De Vassy and Eastern Legend); others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:10 Perth

Karafon

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: S R B Crawford

Runner-up when back over fences at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in January and this 6yo is of interest on that form; however, three lesser performances have followed and he needs to raise his game if he's to win this.

12/1

6th

5

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

17:00 Downpatrick

Karafon

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: S R B Crawford

Best of his form chase runs when second at Ayr in January, two moderate runs since then; possibly flattered by an official rating of 120.

6/1

5th

6

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Carlisle

Karafon

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Underwhelming at Down Royal last time when cheekpieces were applied (now left off); however, prior to that he ran well in second at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on his second chase start and has a part to play if rediscovering that form.

6/1

Form: 2311-4 C BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Clearly has not been the easiest to train; leading bumper horse over a period of more than two years, snaring a deserved Grade 1 at Punchestown last season; probably raced too keenly on his belated hurdles debut here at Christmas; this is a big step up but he has the bumper form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

17

9th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 3f 109y

14:10 Naas

Redemption Day

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Runner-up in the Grade 1 Punchestown Champion Bumper in 2022 and went one better in that same race last season; was a bit disappointing when fourth of 17 in a Leopardstown maiden on belated hurdle bow and was tailed off having jumped poorly behind Kopek Des Bordes; big player if he can get to the level of his bumper form.

11/4

8th

8

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:40 Leopardstown

Redemption Day

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Clearly has not been the easiest to train; leading bumper horse over a period of more than two years, snaring a deserved Grade 1 at Punchestown last season; probably raced too keenly on his belated hurdles debut here at Christmas; this is a big step up but he has the bumper form.

8/1

8th

8

2nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:40 Leopardstown

Redemption Day

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Clearly has not been the easiest to train; leading bumper horse over a period of more than two years, snaring a deserved Grade 1 at Punchestown last season; probably raced too keenly on his belated hurdles debut here at Christmas; this is a big step up but he has the bumper form.

8/1

Form: 213 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner made a satisfactory start over flights from the front when third to Kopek Des Bordes here at Christmas; should improve but this is a huge step up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

13:50 Navan

Whinney Hill

11st 12lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

One of six for yard; bumper winner at this venue (yielding); highly tried at times since but jumping has held him back, albeit wasn't beaten that far when fourth at Fairyhouse on penultimate; had an excuse (coughing) when pulled up latest; and might rebound in new headgear combination back at the scene of his bumper win.

100/30

6

20th Jan 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 1f 33y

12:50 Down Royal

Whinney Hill

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Navan bumper winner last season who made very promising hurdles debut in Leopardstown maiden before set very stiff tasks twice in Grade 1 contests; jumping let him down on seasonal return at Fairyhouse in November when reportedly hanging violently left throughout in first-time tongue-tie; Jack Kennedy sticks with him and big player if near his best.

11/4

4th

7

4th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

14:15 Fairyhouse

Whinney Hill

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Bumper winner, beating Strong Link (now a useful hurdler) at Navan; ambitious novice campaign last season, contesting two Grade 1 events, after a good third in Leopardstown maiden won by Kopek Des Bordes; should have enough ability to win a maiden as long as there are no physical issues; wears a tongue-tie for the first time.

7/4

Form: 5-4223

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Maiden over hurdles, going quite close in a 2m maiden at Navan and a 2m3f maiden at Naas; stepped up again when third to Romeo Coolio and Bleu De Vassy here; could outrun his odds but looks like a bit player here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(24)

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

17:55 Curragh

Eastern Legend

9st 11lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: J S Bolger

Has kept good company over hurdles since his last Flat run almost a year ago; that was in the Group 2 Curragh Cup; this is more realistic but he has plenty of weight.

16/1

7th

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 140y

18:05 Punchestown

Eastern Legend

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: J S Bolger

Has outrun his odds in graded company on a couple of occasions including this meeting last year when 3l behind Kargese; however, well held in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last month and this is even tougher.

50/1

7th

2

2nd May 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 140y

18:05 Punchestown

Eastern Legend

11st 12lb

J: Kieren Buckley

T: J S Bolger

Has outrun his odds in graded company on a couple of occasions including this meeting last year when 3l behind Kargese; however, well held in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last month and this is even tougher.

50/1

Form: 13P D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner made a winning debut over hurdles at Listowel in September; third in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 and was found to be clinically abnormal after being pulled up at Leopardstown; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

30th Sep 2022

Good

2m 0f 0y

15:17 Gowran Park

Sea Of Sands

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: M E Keoghan

in touch with leaders, headway on outer after 3 out, led and ridden from 2 out, kept on well run-in, always doing enough, finished lame (jockey said gelding finished lame)

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €18.30
Straight Forecast €15.65
Tricast €131.45
Trifecta €227.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kopek Des Bordes

TOPSPEED:

Good And Clever

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Bleu De Vassy

POSTDATA:

Kopek Des Bordes

The Irish Sun:

Kopek Des Bordes