Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle
Grade 1, Punchestown 18:05 €125,000 guaranteed, 4yo, 2m 4f, Class 1
Tweet Friday 2nd May 2025

1 Final Demand 7/4
2 Lovely Hurling 11/1
3 Tripoli Flyer 14/1
8 ran NR: Mr Percy
Distances: 16l, 3¾l, 2½l
Time: 5m 3.00s (slow by 15.50s)

A classy effort from Final Demand who bolts up in the Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, @PTownend and @WillieMullinsNH working their magic again 👏@punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/iEmPZ27EYs

— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) May 2, 2025

Willie Mullins’ Final Demand made a statement as bold as his stride, dictating terms from the outset and never once looking for company.

A Grade 1 winner already this season at Leopardstown, he arrived with questions to answer after a slightly underwhelming third in the Turners at Cheltenham, where The New Lion and The Yellow Clay had his measure. But here, on home turf, there was no room for doubt. Paul Townend sent him forward from flagfall, wound the spring tighter down the back, and by the time they turned for home, it was a matter of how far.

The Yellow Clay, once again in opposition and sent off the 5-4 market leader, was under pressure well before a crashing fall at the last – though the race had long since slipped through his fingers.

From two out, Final Demand was in a league of his own – stretching clear with each fluent jump, trading rhythm for dominance. The 7-4 shot stopped the clock with daylight behind him and plenty more in the tank.

“It was awesome,” Mullins said with trademark understatement. “Paul thought he’d gone too steady at Cheltenham – he told Caroline he wanted to let him roll today. And didn’t he just.”

“Early on, I wasn’t sure – I didn’t like his first two jumps. But by the third, he found a gear, and some of those leaps mid-race were electric. For a horse with chasing in his DNA, to jump like that over hurdles... it was exhilarating.”

Asked about chasing plans, Mullins smiled: “No need to rush. He’s already schooled in the real world – won his point. We’ll let the summer do its work.”

“And mind your toes,” he added with a grin. “He’s not the type you want stepping on your foot.”

Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
€125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Yielding

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Final Demand 6 11-12 W P Mullins Paul Townend 7/4
2 16 Lovely Hurling 6 11-12 C A Murphy Mark Walsh 11/1
3 3¾ Tripoli Flyer 6 11-12 Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke 11/1
4 2½ Funiculi Funicula 5 11-12 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 14/1
5 20 Queensbury Boy 6 11-12 Harry Derham Mr David Maxwell 11/1
6 26 Belloccio 7 11-12 W P Mullins Rachael Blackmore 22/1
7 45 Eastern Legend 5 11-12 J S Bolger Kieren Buckley 125/1
FELL The Yellow Clay 6 11-12 Gordon Elliott Sam Ewing 5/4F
NR Mr Percy 5 11-12 Joseph O'Brien NON RUNNER

PAST RESULTS
Year Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP
2024 Ballyburn 6 11-12 R A Bartlett & David Manasseh W P Mullins Paul Townend 1/5F
2023 Impaire Et Passe 5 11-12 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede W P Mullins Paul Townend 1/3F
2022 State Man 5 11-10 Mrs J Donnelly W P Mullins Paul Townend 11/10F
2021 Gaillard Du Mesnil 5 11-12 Mrs J Donnelly W P Mullins Paul Townend 1/2F
2020 Abandoned - Covid-19
2019 Reserve Tank 5-11-10 The Reserve Tankers Stud Colin Tizzard R M Power 13/2
2018 Dortmund Park 5-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott J W Kennedy 16/1
2017 Bacardys 6-11-10 Shanakiel Racing Synd. Willie Mullins Mr Patrick Mullins 10/1
2016 Jer's Girl 4-6-10 John P McManus G P Cromwell Barry Geraghty 11/8 Fav
2015 Nichols Canyon 5-11-10 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 4/5 Fav
2014 Vautour 5-11-10 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 1/3 Fav
2013 Un Atout 5-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins Davy Russell 4/6 Fav
2012 Dedigout 6-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin Davy Russell 100/30
2011 Spirit Of Adjisa 7-11-10 Darr, Johnson, Weston & Whitaker Tim Vaughan GB Richard Johnson 16/1
2010 Reve De Sivola 5-11-10 Paul Duffy Diamond P’shp Nick Williams GB Daryl Jacob 9/4 Fav
2009 Mikael D’Haguenet 5-11-10 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 8/11 Fav
2008 Tranquil Sea 6-11-10 Dermot Cox Edward O’Grady Andrew McNamara 7/1
2007 Glencove Marina 5-11-11 John Brennan Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 11/4 Jt Fav
2006 Nicanor 5-11-11 Des Sharkey Noel Meade Ruby Walsh 9/10 Fav
2005 Asian Maze 6-11-07 Sheila Moore Tom Mullins Paul Carberry 6/4 Fav
2004 Sadlers Wings 6-11-12 John J Brennan Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 4/5 Fav
2003 Nobody Told Me 5-11-06 Amber Syndicate Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 9/1
2002 Davenport Milenium 6-11-12 Miriam O’Callaghan Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 100/30
*2001 Colonel Braxton 6-11-12 Sue Magnier Dessie Hughes Kieran Kelly 8/13 Fav
2000 What’s Up Boys 6-12-00 R J B Partners Philip Hobbs GB Richard Johnson 6/1
1999 Native Upmanship 6-12-00 Sue Magnier Arthur Moore Tommy Treacy 8/1
1998 Ballygowan Beauty 6-12-00 Mrs Carmel O’Brien Michael Hourigan Conor O’Dwyer 16/1
1997 Istabraq 5-11-13 J P McManus Aidan O’Brien Charlie Swan 4/11 Fav
1996 Castlekellyleader 7-12-00 E Morrissey Paddy Mullins Tommy Treacy 4/1
1995 Treble Bob 5-11-13 Michael Smurfit Dermot Weld Richard Dunwoody 11/10 Fav
*Run at Fairyhouse