Mundi takes advantage of Kopek fall to land Barberstown Chase

The inability of long odds on favourite Kopek Des Bordes to negotiate the second-last fence in the Grade 1 Barberstown Castle Novices Chase on day three of the Punchestown Festival saw his stablemate Salvator Mundi take the honours for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Harry Cobden.

After bolting on the way to the start under Paul Townend, Kopek Des Bordes lined up at the back of the five-runner field, but his jumping soon took him into second behind Irish Panther, who made most of the running.

But looming large entering the straight, the favourite seemed to be in control ahead of Salvator Mundi and the back peddling Irish Panther until he jumped left and fell at the penultimate fence to the gasps of the crowd.

It allowed Cobden to take advantage, on the 13/2 shot, who was second at Aintree on Grand National Saturday, as he powered to the front approaching the last to stay on strongly to record a 12-length win over Irish Panther and Jacob’s Ladder a further 30 lengths back in third.

Commenting after the race on the winner, trainer Willie Mullins said: “He’s a good horse in his own right. He was right on the premises; it wasn’t as if he was 20 lengths behind and picked up the pieces. He was going to be involved in the finish.

“If Kopek had made a mistake there and got away with it, yer man was right on his tail. He’s always been a good horse, but things just haven’t gone right for him. It’s nice to get a big race like that with him. He won in Aintree last year, and he’s no back number.

“He probably needs nice ground, and is probably more of a spring horse than a real winter horse. I’m delighted for Marie and Joe Donnelly. They’ve had a disappointing season but now they have Kitzbuhel and this fella winning.” On Kopek Des Bordes, he added, “He probably just lost his concentration going to the fence, without horses around him to keep him focused.

“He appeared to take off but never put out his landing gear and landed on his knees. I think both horse and rider were very lucky. They seem to be alright, fingers crossed they are.” 

DOUBLE UP 

This brought up the second part of a double for Mullins as he scored in the opening race as Beauvallon followed up a Limerick maiden win last month when causing a 28/1 surprise in the Specialist Group Novice Hurdle, under his nephew Danny.

The winner travelled wide throughout and came down the outer to challenge into the straight before landing in front after the last to get the better of Immediate Effect by two-and-a-half lengths.

Speaking afterwards, the winning trainer said: “I’m delighted with that performance. He’s a horse that is improving. He wasn’t always in love with the game, but I think he’s jumping better than he’s Flat racing.

“He’s going the right way, and it’s a nice win for Patrick Wynn-Jones, who is the manager for Barnane Stud. He and a few pals have this horse. They brought him back from France to give a trial to, and he’s trialling well at the moment!”