1-2-3-4 for Willie Mullins in opening Punchestown Grade 1 but trainer takes blame as Kopek Des Bordes' unbeaten run ends tamely

It's a mark of Willie Mullins' dominance at Punchestown, or anywhere else right now, that he could have a long odds-on shot beaten coming to the final flight in a Grade 1 and still have the first four home.

Irancy returned an SP of 18-1 in the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle but won in the manner of a smart horse. Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes was sent off at odds of 30-100 but his stablemate Salvator Mundi did him no favours by tearing off in front at a relentless pace — with Paul Townend close behind on the favourite. 

The warning signs were there turning in, as Kopek Des Bordes began to flounder and Irancy swept through to pick up the pieces, winning by nine lengths for JP McManus under Mark Walsh. Salvator Mundi did well to cling on for second, followed by Karbau and then Kopek Des Bordes in a tame, eased-down fourth.

“Mark rode a fantastic race, he kept his powder dry,” said Mullins. 

Kopek Des Bordes: unbeaten run endedCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

“I think Salvator Mundi just ran too free and that was a big help to Irancy. They were going some lick coming down the hill and Paul, knowing how good Salvator Mundi is, couldn't let him out of his sight. It was extraordinary watching the two of them in front."

He added: "We think Irancy and Karbau are good horses too and they looked like they were riding for third and fourth, yet when they came to the fourth-last it looked like the whole race could switch and they could be first and second. I was as fascinated as everybody else watching it.”

Reflecting on the beaten favourite, Mullins said: “There’s more to it than just the fast pace with Kopek. Looking at my four going around the parade ring I thought Kopek looked the burliest of the four of them. I gave him a nice break after Cheltenham and it looks like now I probably gave him too much of a break. I probably should have sent him to Sandown or Perth or Ayr or somewhere for a run. He looked big and burly to me going around the paddock.”

Mullins offered some insight into what might come next for his quartet.

“I imagine Kopek will probably go over fences. He looks like a chaser in the making. We'll have a chat with JP about what he wants to do with Irancy. Salvator Mundi looks like a smart hurdler to me. Karbau will go chasing too, I imagine.”

Mark Walsh, groom Emma Golden and Willie Mullins with IrancyCredit: Patrick McCann

Walsh explained how the winning ride played out. “I just rode this lad where he was comfortable and it paid off. Once we jumped the third hurdle at the top of the hill the two lads were gone on me. I couldn’t go any quicker, so I didn’t force this fella. He didn’t come down the hill at Cheltenham great, so I just held him together going down the hill here and luckily enough they came back to me.”

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Ballyburn beaten again as 22-1 Champ Kiely becomes latest outsider to scoop up a Grade 1 for Willie Mullins 

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