Classy Kopek is Supreme in Cheltenham Festival Opener
Kopek Des Bordes became the sixth Derby Sale graduate to win the Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham today.
The five-year-old entered today’s race with a burgeoning reputation having produced a performance of the highest calibre last time in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle, and supplemented that today to maintain his unbeaten record in the manner of a top class performer.
He was following in the footsteps of Champagne Fever, Appreciate It and Shishkin all of whom were sold at the Derby Sale prior to winning the Cheltenham Festival opener.
A graduate of the 2023 Derby Sale, the son of No Risk At All was consigned by Walter Connors’ Sluggara Farm, and having been purchased by Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins for €130,000, he made a sparkling racecourse debut in the George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper last Easter.
He is owned by Monabeg Investments Limited, which is a syndicate comprising of the well-known McCarthy family from Fermoy in County Cork.
Jango Baie prevailed in a thrilling renewal of the Grade 1 Arkle Novices’ Chase. The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old amazingly jumped the final fence in fourth, but finished the race with real verve and got up close home to beat fellow Tattersalls Ireland Store sale graduate Only By Night.
Owned by Countrywide Park Homes Ltd, it was a second Grade 1 win for Jango Baie, who was a top level novice hurdle winner last season.
He was sold as a Store in 2022 by John Bleahen’s Lakefield Farm to Matt Gahan for €30,000. Also sold at the Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale by Moate Stables to JP McGrath Bloodstock for £170,000.
There was success for November National Hunt Sale graduate Myretown in the Ultima Handicap Chase. The Lucinda Russell-trained eight-year-old is proving to be a rapid improver and this was his third win over fences. He was consigned as a foal by Longrove Stud and purchased by Oneliner Stables.
Tattersalls Ireland is strongly represented on day two of the Cheltenham Festival, with Derby Sale graduate Jonbon seeking a tenth Grade 1 win in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.