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Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Punchestown predictably unpredictable but Willie Mullins still in ascendancy
It's Punchestown, it's end-of-season, it's expectedly unpredictable, and the opening day of the 2025 meeting was certainly all of that, as the track welcomed 17,842 patrons. A 22-1 winner was followed by one at 50-1, then there was a little levity when an 8-1 shot prevailed, before two of the three Grade Ones returned huge upsets at odds of 18-1 and 22-1. What was much more predictable was that, despite those odds, Willie Mullins was in the ascendancy, winning two Grade Ones, and adding the valuable Goffs Defender Bumper to complete a 7,428-1 treble. The KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle was the first Grade One of the meeting, and 18-1 shot Irancy continued on his upward trajectory courtesy of a patient ride by Mark Walsh. Salvator Mundi went off quickly, with the short-priced, leftward-tending and poor-jumping Kopek Des Bordes his nearest pursuer for much of the trip. At one point they must have had 20 lengths and more to spare over the other quartet. As those early exertions began to tell on the first two, a couple of the other runners closed in, and it was Irancy, a winner at Fairyhouse's Easter festival, who moved best of all. Walsh allowed him to ease to the front coming off the last bend, and when he asked for more at the back of the last, he stretched away to win by a wide margin from the game Salvator Mundi. Karbau took third ahead of an eased-up Kopek Des Bordes, who completed a Mullins 1-2-3-4 in a race which he has farmed, having won seven of the last eight, and nine of the last 11 runnings of the race. 'Irancy has always been a good horse and met with a setback after winning here earlier in the season, but it might have been the best thing to have happened as he came here fresh,' said Mullins. 'I gave Kopek Des Bordes a nice break after Cheltenham and probably gave him too much and should have brought him to somewhere like Ayr or Perth. Looking at him in the parade ring, I thought he was carrying too much condition and that showed.' Mullins saddled five of the eight runners in the Grade One Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase and while two of the quintet fell and another was brought down, he was still responsible for the first two home. Ballyburn looked to have been gifted every opportunity as the field became depleted, but Danny Mullins spoiled the party as he brought 22-1 chance Champ Kiely through to lead after two out before pushing him clear for a facile success. 'Unbelievable,' said Danny Mullins. 'I'm just so lucky to be part of the team in Willie's. I'm just blessed to be on the team and get to ride some of the good ones on these days. 'This horse never really attacked when the loose horse upset him in Fairyhouse last week but, in fairness to Willie, he wasn't afraid to come back here. He knew the variable was stepping up five furlongs in trip and there was every chance he'd go and do that. 'I knew Paul was the horse to beat. The Gigginstown one was going to play a part, but we got the better of him off the bend and, yeah, he is a good horse to put it to bed nicely.' Mullins saddled four in the Goffs Defender Bumper and, in keeping with the theme of the day, it was the outsider of the quartet, the Ruth Duffield-ridden Wonderful Everyday, who fared best, seeing off the promising Green Hint. The Kildare Hunt Club Cross-Country Chase for the Ladies' Perpetual Cup is part of the tradition of this festival and this year's renewal provided a memorable moment for Richie O'Keeffe, who saddled the first two home. Victory went to Transprint, who gave jockey Tony Doyle his first winner on the track. Fifty-to-one chance Buy Some Time upset the gamble on fellow British raider Almuhit in the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final Handicap Hurdle. There were five runners within a length as they raced over the last, but it was Scottish raider Buy Some Time, ridden by Ben Smith and trained by his father, Mike, who quickened up best to land the spoils. Said the winning trainer: 'They all tell you that you can't beat the Irish and Willie comes over and beats us all, but it doesn't always happen that way. You have to be brave to take the risk and throw the darts!' There was further British success when the Harry Derham-trained Ascending Lark took the listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, but there was some Cork success as the winning rider, Paul O'Brien, hails from Mitchelstown. The winner has been on a remarkable run since joining Derham early in 2024. From Haydock to Huntingdon, and Newcastle, Exeter and Ludlow, she came here unbeaten in five runs for the yard and benefited from a beautifully judged ride by O'Brien to extend that run to six. Derek O'Connor trained Bud Fox when he won a point to point, and he was in the saddle when the horse made a winning track debut in the Willie Coonan Memorial Bumper. Now trained by Gavin Cromwell, the son of Walk In The Park and Flaviana was in prime position throughout and justified considerable market confidence by quickening up late on to readily put the day's finale to bed.
Scottish Sun
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Willie Mullins to finally unleash ‘stunning' £180,000 future superstar with Grand National-winning jockey in the saddle
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WILLIE MULLINS is to finally take the wraps off a 'stunning' £180,000 future superstar - who's already fancied for next year's Cheltenham Festival. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary moved quickly to snap up the hugely promising Leader Des Bordes last June. 1 Willie Mullins has already trained Leader Des Bordes' half-bro Kopek Des Bordes to Cheltenham Festival glory - how good will his sibling be? Credit: Getty His half-brother Kopek Des Bordes is one of Mullins' top horses and won this year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Kopek Des Bordes is unbeaten in four and will return at slim odds of 4-9 on the same day his sibling makes his debut. Both horses are out of the dam Miss Berry, with Leader Des Bordes being by Tunis, who counts Group 3 winner Knoxville among his progeny. Grand National-winning jockey and Willie's son Patrick will take the ride on Leader Des Bordes. They will run in the prestigious Goffs Defender Bumper (5.25pm) on day one of the star-studded Punchestown Festival. It will be no surprise to see all Mullins' bumper horses near the head of the market for next year's Supreme. Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever is the current 14-1 favourite and she will put her unbeaten record on the line on Wednesday. But it's testament to the high regard in which Leader Des Bordes is held that he can be backed now at odds of 25-1 for the same race. His pedigree suggests his future could lie over further, though. Among Miss Berry's progeny is the Group 1-winning former Nicky Henderson mare Utopie Des Bordes. She won the G1 2m6f Prix Maurice Gillois Grand Steeple-Chase by six lengths in 2012 when trained by Francis-Marie Cottin before moving to Seven Barrows. There's also a Grade 2 and Listed winners in the impressive family. Harold Kirk, who buys Mullins' horses, confirmed almost a year ago when they bought Leader Des Bordes the Goffs Defender Bumper would be the plan. Eleven months on it looks like it could come to fruition, with Kirk saying at the time: "I always knew he was going to be very popular. "He's a stunning horse with a huge pedigree. He's for an existing owner in the yard. "We'll be hoping this one can win the Goffs Defender Bumper next year. That'll be the first plan anyway." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Willie Mullins to finally unleash ‘stunning' £180,000 future superstar with Grand National-winning jockey in the saddle
WILLIE MULLINS is to finally take the wraps off a 'stunning' £180,000 future superstar - who's already fancied for next year's Cheltenham Festival. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary moved quickly to snap up the hugely promising Leader Des Bordes last June. 1 His half-brother Kopek Des Bordes is one of Mullins' top horses and won this year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Kopek Des Bordes is unbeaten in four and will return at slim odds of 4-9 on the same day his sibling makes his debut. Both horses are out of the dam Miss Berry, with Leader Des Bordes being by Tunis, who counts Group 3 winner Knoxville among his progeny. Grand National-winning jockey and Willie's son Patrick will take the ride on Leader Des Bordes. They will run in the prestigious Goffs Defender Bumper (5.25pm) on day one of the star-studded Punchestown Festival. It will be no surprise to see all Mullins' bumper horses near the head of the market for next year's Supreme. Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever is the current 14-1 favourite and she will put her unbeaten record on the line on Wednesday. But it's testament to the high regard in which Leader Des Bordes is held that he can be backed now at odds of 25-1 for the same race. His pedigree suggests his future could lie over further, though. Among Miss Berry's progeny is the Group 1-winning former Nicky Henderson mare Utopie Des Bordes. She won the G1 2m6f Prix Maurice Gillois Grand Steeple-Chase by six lengths in 2012 when trained by Francis-Marie Cottin before moving to Seven Barrows. There's also a Grade 2 and Listed winners in the impressive family. Harold Kirk, who buys Mullins' horses, confirmed almost a year ago when they bought Leader Des Bordes the Goffs Defender Bumper would be the plan. Eleven months on it looks like it could come to fruition, with Kirk saying at the time: "I always knew he was going to be very popular. "He's a stunning horse with a huge pedigree. He's for an existing owner in the yard. "We'll be hoping this one can win the Goffs Defender Bumper next year. That'll be the first plan anyway." . Remember to gamble responsibly
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Willie Mullins to finally unleash ‘stunning' £180,000 future superstar with Grand National-winning jockey in the saddle
WILLIE MULLINS is to finally take the wraps off a 'stunning' £180,000 future superstar - who's already fancied for next year's Cheltenham Festival. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary moved quickly to snap up the hugely promising Leader Des Bordes last June. Advertisement 1 Willie Mullins has already trained Leader Des Bordes' half-bro Kopek Des Bordes to Cheltenham Festival glory - how good will his sibling be? Credit: Getty His half-brother Kopek Des Bordes is one of Mullins' top horses and won this year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Kopek Des Bordes is unbeaten in four and will return at slim odds of 4-9 on the same day his sibling makes his debut. Both horses are out of the dam Miss Berry, with Leader Des Bordes being by Tunis, who counts Group 3 winner Knoxville among his progeny. Grand National-winning jockey and Willie's son Patrick will take the ride on Leader Des Bordes. Advertisement They will run in the prestigious Goffs Defender Bumper (5.25pm) on day one of the star-studded Punchestown Festival. It will be no surprise to see all Mullins' bumper horses near the head of the market for next year's Supreme. Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever is the current 14-1 favourite and she will put her unbeaten record on the line on Wednesday. But it's testament to the high regard in which Leader Des Bordes is held that he can be backed now at odds of 25-1 for the same race. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing His pedigree suggests his future could lie over further, though. Among Miss Berry's progeny is the Group 1-winning former Nicky Henderson mare Utopie Des Bordes. She won the G1 2m6f Prix Maurice Gillois Grand Steeple-Chase by six lengths in 2012 when trained by Francis-Marie Cottin before moving to Seven Barrows. There's also a Grade 2 and Listed winners in the impressive family. Advertisement Harold Kirk, who buys Mullins' horses, confirmed almost a year ago when they bought Leader Des Bordes the Goffs Defender Bumper would be the plan. Eleven months on it looks like it could come to fruition, with Kirk saying at the time: "I always knew he was going to be very popular. "He's a stunning horse with a huge pedigree. He's for an existing owner in the yard. "We'll be hoping this one can win the Goffs Defender Bumper next year. That'll be the first plan anyway." Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
