Kopek Des Bordes will miss festive outing at Leopardstown

The Supreme Novices' Hurdle now appears set to make a delayed Leopardstown appearance in the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival in early February. 

FESTIVE BLOW: Kopek Des Bordes made the perfect start over fences at Navan last month but won't be out at Christmas. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Kopek Des Bordes, who is vying for favouritism for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March, will miss an outing at Leopardstown over Christmas after meeting with a "small hiccup" in his preparation.

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at last season's Festival and made the perfect start over fences at Navan last month.