O'SULLIVAN HAILED AS KOPEK DELIVERS

AT THE finishing line, jockey Paul Townend pointed to the Cork crest on an armband he wore in memory of Michael O'Sullivan.

- BY BRIAN FLANAGAN at Cheltenham

Kopek Des Bordes' stunning Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success, a race named in O'Sullivan's memory, meant so much to the usually stoic Cork jockey that he was in tears.

Just three weeks ago, Townend stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Irish racing community as O'Sullivan was tragically laid to rest just days before his 25th birthday.

He was there that horrendous afternoon in Thurles too when O'Sullivan’s injuries were so bad he had to be airlifted to hospital, sadly passing away days later.

A dark cloud has hung over the sport in Ireland since.

Yesterday was a day when emotions were high, with Michael's dad Eugene and brother Alan in attendance, there to present the winning trophy to Townend, trainer Willie Mullins and the horse's Cork owner Charlie McCarthy, himself recovering from a serious illness.

This was a victory for Michael O'Sullivan and his family. This was a victory for their Rebel County too. And Towned knew it only too well.

Indeed the race almost took an incredible twist with the horse finishing second, William Munny, running in the same Barry Connell colours as O'Sullivan had worn on Marine Nationale here two years ago.