FINAL DEMAND FOR STARTERS

Karl Hedley has had aclose eye on Festival prospects across the water

- 

A head of another action packed Cheltenham Festival, I shall provide you with a breakdown of Irish contenders who will try for some of the major prizes as well as looking at some who may have gone unnoticed and under the radar.

The best place to begin is the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown that took place in the first weekend of February. The crowds flocked to the event in their droves and the Guinness and champagne was flowing non-stop.

Final Demand was roared home by favourite backers in the opening race of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown - the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle over and extended two miles and six furlongs.

The 6yo Walk In The Park gelding raced in touch behind Wingmen and Mozzies Sister who led the way.

Wingmen survived a blunder heading out on the final circuit and was still travelling strongly two out where Jasmin De Vaux closed on the outer of Mozzies Sister.

Final Demand, raced in touch and jumped that in fourth with the leaders well in his sights.

Jasmin De Vaux gave best approaching the home bend where Final Demand knifed through in a closing third for Paul Townend.

Mozzies Sister cracked as Final Demand loomed large and took over from Wingmen before the last.

Once he touched down on the run-in, Final Demand stretched away in good style to put 12 lengths on Wingmen who was backed from 25/1 in the morning down to 8/1. Mozzies Sister held on for third place, and valuable black-type, at 12/1.

Willie Mullins said: "It was a huge performance, absolutely huge.

"Paul was in a lovely position the whole way and the horse did everything fairly right. Turning for home, when he started to niggle, I wondered what was going to be in the tank.