Irish Panther beats 1/4 favourite Kopek Des Bordes in Naas Grade 3

Irish Panther caused a surprise in the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas on Sunday, beating the 1/4 favourite Kopek Des Bordes by 10 lengths.

The nine-year-old gelding, trained in Ireland by Eddie and Patrick Harty and ridden by Kieren Buckley, was sent off at 100/30 in a four-runner field on good to yielding ground. He raced second behind the leader, went to the front approaching two out and was clear before the last, winning easily in 3m 55.60s.

Willie Mullins' Kopek Des Bordes (Paul Townend) blundered two out and could not get near the winner. His stablemate Westport Cove (14/1) made the running and was a further 26 lengths back in third, with the 150/1 shot Rockstown Girl fourth. Bowensonfire was a non-runner.

Another setback for Kopek Des Bordes

Kopek Des Bordes won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2025 and won his first start over fences at Navan last November. Since then he has been second to Kargese in the Arkle, beaten two and a quarter lengths after a mistake at the last, and fell two out at Punchestown in April when clear.

Irish Panther finished second in that Punchestown Grade 1, 12 lengths behind Salvator Mundi. Today he turned the tables on the Mullins runner at level weights.

What they said

Eddie Harty told Racing Daily: "He jumped great there and he's won it fair and square." He said a two-mile race over Christmas was the logical next step.

No plan was announced for Kopek Des Bordes.

Full result: Naas results, 8 November. For the big races ahead, see the racing calendar.