Kopek Des Bordes wins opening race at Cheltenham Festival

Kopek Des Bordes won the opening race of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle. The five-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins, maintained his unbeaten record, finishing ahead of William Munny by a length-and-three-quarters. Jango Baie caused an upset in the Arkle Novices' Chase, winning after a late surge. The six-year-old, trained by Nicky Henderson, overtook the favorite Majborough, who made a mistake at the final fence, finishing third behind Only By Night. Kopek Des Bordes' owner, Charlie McCarthy, celebrated his victory shortly after recovering from kidney surgery. He dedicated the win to the late jockey Michael O'Sullivan, in whose honor the race was named.