'Paul has picked him' - Final Demand out to build on sparkling debut victory in Grade 1 company

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Final Demand put in a sparkling display at Limerick on debut, barely having to break sweat in gliding 15 lengths clear.

The remote runner-up, Timmy Tuesday, has since come out and bolted up in a handicap hurdle at Ayr off 118, while the third landed a Punchestown maiden hurdle next time.

Final Demand recorded some rapid closing sectionals when compared to other contests on the card and clocked a time 15 seconds faster than the 80-102 handicap over the same distance. That was a flawless introduction and he looks very smart. It will take a serious performance to beat him.

Supersundae ran with plenty of promise when runner-up to The Yellow Clay at Grade 1 level at Naas after eight months off. He should be fine over this trip but he is likely to be ridden for luck given he can be keen, illustrated by a first-time hood.

Jasmin De Vaux, fourth in the same race, has a big engine but can't be trusted until he learns how to negotiate his obstacles better.

Mozzies Sister reached a good level in bumpers and ran into a smart sort in The Big Westerner at Limerick last time, but was disadvantaged by the race turning into a sprint. She's capable of better and is an interesting each-way angle.

The Liam Kenny-trained World Of Fortunes is also an outsider worth keeping in mind as she found it hard work for most of the way when chasing a strong gallop at Leopardstown over Christmas. She was progressive prior to that and this longer trip will see her to better effect.

Pray Tell is another contender from a small outfit seeking to slay the powerhouse stables and is no back number based on his Grade 3 success at Cork.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Final Demand, Jasmin De Vaux, Joystick, Sounds Victorious and Supersundae
Paul [Townend] has picked Final Demand in what looks a very hot renewal. It can't have been an easy decision but his race in Limerick has worked out well, so it will be interesting to see. Going up in trip might help Jasmin De Vaux's jumping, going a few miles an hour slower could be a big benefit to him. We know he has the big engine to compete at this level. Joystick's pedigree and method of galloping makes me think he's a stayer. Sounds Victorious won right-handed around Fairyhouse and appeared to jump a little to the left. If he favours going left, possibly Leopardstown will bring out more improvement. We feel Supersundae ran a huge race when second in the Lawlor’s Of Naas last time and we also feel there's a lot of improvement if it doesn't come too soon. We've always thought a fair bit of him and the extra two furlongs will be a benefit.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Sporting Glory and Wingmen
They're both nice horses but they have a bit on their plate. I think Sporting Glory can jump better than he did at Thurles so he could go well if he does. I've liked him since he arrived here. Wingmen did the donkey work for a long way at Naas and ran well. He's got an engine.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of I Am Lorenzo
He's had two nice runs this season, finishing runner-up at Galway and here at Christmas. If he can build on his last run then he shouldn't be too far away.

Des Kenneally, trainer of Pray Tell
I gave him a little break after Cork and he's healthy and well. I think he can give a good account of himself. He was always a good horse at home, but he was impressive at Cork. He seems to be better fresh rather than doing too much with him.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Sommesky
He's done nothing wrong and we said to ourselves why not pitch him in here at the deep end to see how he fares out. We'll know a lot more after the race.

Michael Broderick, owner of World Of Fortunes
The last day didn't go her way as she got taken off her feet early and she was chasing, which hurt her jumping, so I don't think we saw the best of her. Jetara has franked the form but our biggest concern is the ground as she'd like it better. The opposition is hot and it's a fact-finding mission to see where we sit in. She'll be ridden more prominently, she's back in novice company, the trip will suit and she has plenty of experience. Soft ground is an unknown, though.

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