Early days

Final Demand was foaled on the 24th April 2019 and is by hugely popular National Hunt sire Walk In The Park. His dam, Zuzka, was also trained by Willie Mullins and she won five times under rules, which includes a couple of Grade 3 victories.

He was initially purchased as a three-year-old for a substantial fee of 230,000. He made his debut as a five-year-old in a maiden point-to-point at Lingstown and left a very good visual impression, scooting clear to score by six lengths.

Willie Mullins then swooped to pick up the gelding and connections decided against wasting any time putting him in a bumper.

Final Demand made his first start under rules in a 2m5f maiden hurdle over Christmas in 2024 and it was immediately obvious that he was special.

Star potential as a novice hurdler

Victory was never in doubt at Limerick and Danny Mullins made all the running on him, leading at a steady pace. The further they went, the more obvious it was that he was in a league of his own. Scoring by an official margin of 15 lengths, Mullins didn't have to move a muscle.

A step up to Grade 1 company was next on the agenda and he contested the 2m6f Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle. The higher grade made no difference and he was just as impressive as he was in maiden company beforehand.

Stablemate Jasmin De Vaux could only manage fourth that day but still went on to win the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham the following month. Final Demand lined up in the Turners Novices??? Hurdle but looked a tad below his best, eventually finishing third behind The New Lion.

Getting right back on track at Punchestown next time, he returned to winning ways with a very impressive 16-length success in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.

More to come over fences

Many of Mullins' horses were needing their first runs of the season in November but that wasn't an issue for Final Demand. He kicked clear in impressive style to win his first start over fences at Navan by 13 lengths and jumped noticeably well.

The seven-year-old was always going to flourish over fences and there was more to come when stepped back up into Grade 1 company at Limerick last time out. Jumping well once again, no one could get near him as he finished eight lengths clear, and expectations are now very high.

We could see him at the Dublin Racing Festival next, although it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he heads straight to the Cheltenham Festival.

Three miles is probably going to suit in the long run and you would imagine he is certainly capable of developing into a Gold Cup contender.

Symbols Explained

ts² Tongue Strap vs² Visor hd² Hood es² Eye Shield ec² Eye Cover cp² Cheekpiece bl² Blinkers tt² Tongue Tie bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run srMentioned in Stewards Report in Results bbvBroke Blood Vessel

The superscript number on headgear bl² indicates number of times worn. A plus bl⁺ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl¹indicates first time.