Townend tasked with keeping Kopek calm amid emotional Festival opener

In a Supreme Novices' run in memory of Michael O'Sullivan, the hot favourite will be fitted with a hood after taking a keen hold under Paul Townend at Leopardstown last time out

NICE AND EASY: Jockey Paul Townend with Kopek Des Bordes on the gallops at Cheltenham Racecourse, ahead of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire.

Emotions will be running high ahead of the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but Willie Mullins is looking to keep a lid on Kopek Des Bordes for the Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser.

In a race run this year in memory of O'Sullivan, who died last month at the age of 24 following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles, the hot favourite will be fitted with a hood after taking a keen hold under Paul Townend at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown last time out.