For Charlie McCarthy, for Michael O'Sullivan, for Cork, Kopek Des Bordes lands Cheltenham glory

The Charlie McCarthy-owned horse neatly delivered.

Kopek Des Bordes ridden by Paul Townend after winning the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle on day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire.

Charlie McCarthy struggled to put into words what it meant to him after Kopek Des Bordes justified odds-on favouritism in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the Festival opener named in memory of the recently deceased rider, who was from just over the road from the winning owner.

And with Midleton man Paul Townend, who, along with all of his colleagues in the weighroom, was wearing a Cork-flag armband, there was an unmistakably poignant and fitting Rebel feel as the favourite galloped to success.