Christmas Novice Chasers Review: Final Demand, Romeo Coolio, Kitzbuhel, The Big Westerner & More

Novice chasers stole the show over Christmas - and now we need to separate hype from hard truth.

On this week’s Final Furlong Podcast, Emmet Kennedy, Adam Mills, and Jamie Wrenn break down the headline performances from Kempton, Leopardstown, Punchestown, and Limerick — and what they could mean for Cheltenham Festival 2026.

Data-led, opinionated, and packed with value angles, this is the ultimate festive novice chase review.

🟥 COULD THE BROWN ADVISORY BE AN ALL-TIME RACE?

The panel debate whether we’re heading into a stacked Brown Advisory, featuring:

• Final Demand — Grade 1 winner, imperious at Limerick
• Kitzbuhel — Kauto Star winner gaining momentum
• Koktail Divin — impressive winner of a race with a strong role of honour 
• The Big Westerner — serious engine, slick jumper
• Romeo Coolio — unbeaten, but does he need further?

And the big question:
Will Gordon Elliott step Romeo Coolio up in trip at Cheltenham?

🟦 IS THERE A BANKER FOR THE MARES CHASE?

One member of the team thinks there is.

🟩 THE ARKLE DEBATE: VALUE VS SPEED

There’s a hot row over a 10/1 Arkle contender:

• One panellist thinks the market is wrong
• Another says she’ll get found out at Grade 1 level. 
• Who’s right?

🟨 THE 50/1 OUTSIDER

Adam Mills drops a 50/1 Festival bomb he believes is massively overpriced. Everyone else calls him crazy. You decide.

🏇 RACES & HORSES DISCUSSED

Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase — Romeo Coolio
Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase — Final Demand
Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase — Kitzbuhel
Rising Stars Beginners’ Chase — Koktail Divin
Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (G2) — Mambonumberfive
Beginners Chase — Kargese
Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase (G2) — The Big Westerner

🔵 Presented by 1xBet.ie

More than 7,000 events daily, fast withdrawals & new customer specials. 👉 https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. Your game, your odds, your 1xBet.

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for previews, reviews & Festival betting insight
🎧 Follow on Spotify, Apple & Podbean for new episodes
💬 Comment: Who wins the Brown Advisory?
👍 Like & share to support the show

1xBet social media pages: Х: https://x.com/1xbet_ireland Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1xbet.ie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1xbet.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1xbet-ireland/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1xBet_Ireland

Form Tools: Proform is the essential tool for punters looking to make money from betting on Horse Racing. Our form book covers Jumps and Flat racing in the UK and Ireland. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.proformracing.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: @FinalFurlongPod

Email: radioemmet@gmail.com

In association with Adelicious Podcast Network. Hosted on Megaphone. 

Follow us for free on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/3e6NnBkr7MBstVx5U7lpld

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices