Willie Mullins star to miss Dublin Racing Festival and head straight to CheltenhamHe will not run at Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival this weekendView 2 Images Willie Mullins (Image: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon)Kopek Des Bordes will bypass Saturday's Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival and head directly to the Cheltenham Festival. ‌Willie Mullins' Supreme Novices' Hurdle victor was expected to face Gordon Elliott's Romeo Coolio in what promised to be a standout contest on day one at Leopardstown, particularly after Kopek Des Bordes missed a planned Christmas outing due to a minor setback. I never challenge Willie and I respect his calls, I'd rather have a horse than not a horse. Several bookmakers have now drifted Kopek Des Bordes out to 4-1 for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. Willie has his eyes firmly set on Cheltenham and didn't want to jeopardise the horse this weekend, so the Arkle is what we're gunning for."