Kopek Des Bordes' attempt to relaunch his chasing career came unstuck at Naas on Sunday, when the 2025 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner was beaten ten lengths by Irish Panther in the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase. Sent off the 1-4 favourite for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend on his seasonal reappearance, the six-year-old saw his chance effectively disappear after a clumsy landing over the penultimate fence, by which point Irish Panther was travelling much the better of the

Willie Mullins unveiled a new Cheltenham Festival contender at Naas on Sunday as Love Me Tender romped home by 15 lengths in the Overlander Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle, a performance that has taken him to the head of the ante-post market for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. The four-year-old, a 1-2 favourite under Paul Townend, was held up at the rear of the four-runner field before travelling strongly into the lead and drawing right away. Bartholomew took second at 9-2, with Gold

Alexei advanced his Champion Hurdle claims with a four-length victory on his seasonal return in Saturday's Grade 2 William Hill Molyneux Hurdle at Aintree, and the Joe Tizzard-trained hurdler is now set for the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle at the end of the month. Partnered by Harry Cobden, who deputised for the injured Brendan Powell, Alexei went off the 4/7 favourite in a field reduced to four runners. Gordon Elliott's Mange Tout (4/1) chased him home in second, with Nicky H