WILLIE KOP-TIMISTIC

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.

- BY DAVID YATES

The six-year-old was due to take on Grade 1 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.