• HELP US - Become a Patron - Fat Jockey is a horse racing community focused on all the big races in the UK and Ireland. We don't charge users but if you have found the site useful then any support towards the running costs is appreciated ... a small donation each month would be a huge contribution. Become a Patron!

2026 Novice Chasers

What are peoples expectations for Kopek this weekend?

As a backer im hoping for a win but not expecting it

Hes had a setback and wont be as fit or as experienced as the others

He jumps well and runs well finishing 2nd or 3rd id be confident he can reverse that form at cheltenham

He wins then he just needs to jump around to win the arkle

Im not expectant of that though
All parties would be downbeat if he got beat I would imagine
 
What are peoples expectations for Kopek this weekend?

As a backer im hoping for a win but not expecting it

Hes had a setback and wont be as fit or as experienced as the others

He jumps well and runs well finishing 2nd or 3rd id be confident he can reverse that form at cheltenham

He wins then he just needs to jump around to win the arkle

Im not expectant of that though
I think he needs more than to jump around to beat Lulamba imo
Hard to call between the two imo.
 
The market will be very informative this weekend. Clearly, if he were expected to win, he'd be backed into odds on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FredFlintstone
Said on another thread, Kopek Des Bordes is the most talented novice chaser I've seen since Sprinter Sacre. Absolutely built for the game with loads of scope, a huge engine and a superb athlete. I hope he stays sound because he has the potential to be amongst the best we have seen.
 
As a supporter you'd want to see a win, ground should suit him, always had a big action & after any operation you wouldn't want any jar in the ground for them so the wetter the better really, of course he'll be wanting the run so will improve for the outing, for the sport I'd love to see him put in a polished display of jumping & travels within himself, no pulling, no being silly, a focused horse whos in tandem with his rider, that'd set us up lovely for a great clash in march, not to discount the other arkle contenders but I do think we're looking at two exceptional horses at the head of the market.

I just still have my doubts about how he's come out of a relatively minor operation, there's been too much made of the fact that everything is ok with him, when everyone talks about him there's that air that, you're not getting a totally genuine answer, bit of soft soaping, also the markets are impossible as oneday you'd swear he's fcuked,the next he's pegasus reborn, maybe we're all just asking after him to much and they're all a bit tired of it !!!
 
I’d say WPM will let Kargese go off in front at a decent enough gallop, which will suit Kopek as it’ll allow him to settle and jump at the pace he wants to, as opposed to making his own running and being a little keen.

Coming to the second last down the side of the course, ping it to go in front and pull away up the straight over the last.

I don’t think the preparation is ideal but if he is running I wouldn’t be concerned re fitness etc as if he wasn’t ready WPM would just go straight to the Arkle. Not ideal doing that but let’s not kid ourselves that top trainers can’t get their horses 100% fit at home for big targets, or as close to 100% fit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lobos
That drift on BFX suggests KDB hasn't been declared.
 
Kargese win Saturday and he'll supplement Kopek for Champion Hurdle and send Lossie to the Mares 😂
 
  • Like
Reactions: Black Dog

kopek going striagt to arkle

To me it sounds like he's not been straight forward to keep right, rather than risk another set back, they'll wait for the big day at Cheltenham instead.

Let's hope it doesn't go wrong for them there!

Also, it's almost always the same old spin on it, 'Oh Willie phoned me this morning' for someone you are paying to train your horses to only be told the morning of declarations doesn't sound good enough to me.

I've got a couple of theories, the one above, as noted, about him not being right, or the they want to give Romeo a near freebie so he doesn't defect to the BANC to take on Final Demand. This one being a bit far fetched, I accept :ROFLMAO:
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigChaang
5/1 now with 365.

Got some rough looking antepost bets involving him now 😂