Alanna Homes Champion
Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
DIFFERENT tactics than when surrendering his unbeaten record at the Cheltenham Festival yielded a much different result for Final Demand in the Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle. It led to a sublime front-running display that had every bit of ‘wow factor’ that his Dublin Racing Festival demolition job oozed earlier in the season.
Ridden much more prominently by Paul Townend than when third and beaten five and a half lengths in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, the imposing six-year-old by Walk In The Park seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself and injected pace into the race before the home turn that got his rivals in trouble.
The Yellow Clay, who finished clear of him in the Cotswolds, was sent off the 5/4 favourite to uphold that form, but he wasn’t jumping overly fluently before taking a horrible fall at the final flight. Thankfully, he and Sam Ewing walked away from the spill, one which came while he looked booked for third at the time.
Colm Murphy’s bright prospect Lovely Hurling lost little in defeat in second, but he still could only finish 16 lengths adrift of the deeply impressive 7/4 winner.
Townend said: “I think he’s a very, very good horse. I was disappointed with myself and him, a bit, at Cheltenham, but I wouldn’t have ridden him the same way if I went back again. Today I just wanted to jump out and let him show himself off. He jumped brilliantly, bar the second, but he’s looking for the next jump all the time. He’s a fine, big horse, covers loads of ground, and I like him a lot.”
Willie Mullins suggested the Bryan Drew and Professor Caroline Tisdall-owned gelding could be schooled over fences in the autumn, and was cut to 7/2 (from 6/1) for next year’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
Colm Murphy, trainer of Lovely Hurling
“It was a massive step up from a maiden hurdle but he ran a blinder and showed pace. I’d say he bumped into a very good horse and is one to look forward to. I’d imagine the lads will have a plan for him next season.”