Final Demand made a flawless debut over fences at Navan on Sunday, winning by 13 lengths and providing a timely reminder of the strength of Willie Mullins' Cheltenham squad. The six-year-old, one of the best novice hurdlers last season, jumped with such natural fluency that he is now the 6-4 favourite for the Brown Advisory Novice Chase at the Festival.
Mullins admitted to a moment of concern approaching the third-last fence, but Paul Townend's mount quickly regained momentum. “He was just so natural,” Mullins said. “Jumping down the back, taking fences in his stride. When Paul gave him a squeeze, he opened up again. His jumping was fantastic.”
The victory over Wingmen, a useful novice hurdler last year, underlined Final Demand's potential and bolsters Mullins' already formidable team for the Grade One contests in March. Meanwhile, at Cheltenham, Dan Skelton also enjoyed a winner on the final day of the November meeting, but the main focus remained on Mullins' emerging star.
Joe Tizzard's Alexei provided a touch of quality in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, accelerating six lengths clear after the last. The German-bred horse was quoted at 40-1 for next year's Champion Hurdle, but Tizzard is taking a cautious approach. “I thought this was the best I’d had him, but I haven’t got a plan,” he said.
