Irish Panther too strong for Kopek Des Bordes in Naas feature The Eddie and Patrick Harty-trained Irish Panther proved too strong for odds-on favourite Kopek Des Bordes when landing the featured Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas. A course and distance winner at this meeting last season, the Jennifer Coyle and Brian Whelan-owned nine-year-old was sent off the 10/3 second choice of punters. Tracking leader Westport Cove throughout, the Lucarno gelding came through to take over in front approaching the final fence. Although Kopek Des Bordes briefly looked a threat on the run to the last, Irish Panther soon asserted to post a 10-length success. Co-trainer Eddie Harty said “It was good, he promised to do all those kind of things last year. “Punchestown was just one race too far. He was very good early in the season and he’s started off in the same vein now. You couldn’t be happier. “I would think Willie’s horse will improve, but I would hope our one will as well. “The obvious one is the two-mile at Christmas. He will be in open company, but that’s what you are in now. He deserves his shot. “He jumped great there and he’s won it fair and square. There were no hard luck stories, no horse made a mistake, no horse fell. He’s just won it on the day. “It’s first time out for all of them, which one improves more during the course of the next four weeks will probably dictate the rest of the season, but we’ll take that. “I can’t understand why some people had him down as a sketchy jumper, his forte is jumping and he never put a foot wrong today, and he has a big engine. “We’re just lucky to have him at the time we have him. It’s great for Brian (Whelan) and Jen (Coyle), it’s their first venture together and what a one they got.” Paddy Power went 25/1 from 100/1 Irish Panther for the Champion Chase, while pushing Kopek Des Bordes out to 8/1 from 3/1.
