ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR KOPEK'S DUBLIN BID

WILLIE MULLINS is "over the moon" with Leopardstown Christmas absentee Kopek Des Bordes as he prepares last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero for the Dublin Racing Festival.

- DAVID YATES

The six-year-old was due to take on Grade One opposition on Boxing Day after making a winning debut under Paul Townend at Navan in November. A setback forced Kopek Des Bordes to be scratched, but his owner Charlie McCarthy reported "everything is hunky dory" ahead of a tilt at the top-level Irish Arkle Novice Chase on January 31.

"He's back galloping, he's entered for the Dublin Racing Festival, and he's in great spirits," said McCarthy.

"He has three weeks to the Dublin Racing Festival and everything is going according to plan - everything is hunky dory.