Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase runner-up Final Demand will stay at home for the final run of his novice chasing season.
There are multiple Grade 1 novice chases which could have been options at Aintree for him. However, it will be either Fairyhouse or Punchestown for Willie Mullins’ charge, who chased home stablemate Kitzbuhel at the Cheltenham Festival.
Two wins from his first two starts over fences had made Final Demand a warm order in Cheltenham ante-post markets. However, a flop at the Dublin Racing Festival made many people reassess. He improved substantially again at Cheltenham though, only failing to pass his grey neighbour on the run-in.
His reputation restored, Grade 1 options are aplenty for him to conclude the campaign. Both Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting and the Punchestown festival are now being eyed up. Final Demand won a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Punchestown last season.
“I’d like to think we could reverse the form” – Bryan Drew
Final Demand’s owner Bryan Drew was delighted by his run at Prestbury Park. However, any temptation to run in Britain again this term will be resisted. Instead, he will look to gain redemption on home turf. Connections also have a view to beating Kitzbuhel the next time they meet.
“I was very pleased with how Final Demand ran at Cheltenham,” Drew said to the Press Association via Racing TV. “He jumped and travelled and just got outstayed in the final few strides by Kitzbuhel. They are two really nice horses and I’d like to think we could reverse the form one day.
“He is in the WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on April 5. I’m not sure if he will or won’t run but it might be a question of running him while the ground is safe rather than risk waiting for Punchestown.
“He will run at Fairyhouse or Punchestown I would say and then we’ll look ahead to next year.”
As well as a rematch with Kitzbuhel, sights are already set on his main target for 2026/27. Drew is not holding back with what he believes Final Demand to be capable of.
“I think he’s the right profile of horse for a Gold Cup, a beautiful jumper and traveller. I do think next year is going to be exciting.”
The opposition need be even warier, as Drew is convinced that there is plenty more undiscovered beneath the bonnet.
“I don’t think he’s been 100 per cent this season. He was under the weather at Leopardstown, and I think considering that he has run very well. I think with another summer on his back and a clear run you will see an even better horse next season.”