Kopek Des Bordes thriving since Cheltenham reverse

Charlie McCarthy's six-year-old fell short in his bid for back-to-back Cheltenham Festival triumphs last week.

SETBACK: Kopek Des Borders, with Paul Townend up, jumps the last on their way to finishing second in the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

It will be "maybe Aintree, but certainly Punchestown" for Kopek Des Bordes, as connections dream about what the future holds for their Arkle runner-up.

Willie Mullins' six-year-old was bidding to defy the statistics and join the likes of Well Chief and Western Warhorse by winning the Cheltenham Festival Grade One on just his second chasing appearance, and having cruised into contention on the bridle he looked for all money the winner approaching the final fence.