Show notes
Emmet Kennedy is joined by one of racing's most respected pundits, Gavin Lynch, for a special episode of the Final Furlong Podcast recorded live at the Curragh Racecourse. It's never too early to talk about the greatest show on turf, so we look ahead to the new National Hunt season through the prism of the Cheltenham Festival 2027 Championship races.
For the first time in four years, the Champion Hurdle is set to feature neither Constitution Hill nor State Man, while the annual Willie Mullins question of whether Lossiemouth runs in the Champion Hurdle or Mares' Hurdle is gone. So where does that leave the division? The defending champion is available at 5/2, and that's Gavin's first port of call.
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CHAMPION HURDLE & THE NEW GENERATION
Gavin assesses the Champion Hurdle picture and some of last season's most exciting young hurdlers, including Mydaddypaddy, King Rasko Grey, Narsiso Has and Saratoga, as they prepare to step into open company.
MARES' HURDLE & STAYERS' HURDLE
Can Wodhooh successfully defend her Mares' Hurdle crown for Gordon Elliott? And could The New Lion improve for the step up to three miles and become the horse they all have to beat in the Stayers' Hurdle?
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
Does Kopek Des Bordes have the temperament and jumping to develop into a Champion Chaser? And if both arrive at Cheltenham at their best, who would Paul Townend choose between the exciting second-season chaser and defending champion Il Etait Temps?
RYANAIR CHASE
Is Fact To File the one to beat as he attempts to regain his Ryanair crown, or could stablemate Majborough finally fulfil his enormous potential over fences at Cheltenham?
SECOND-SEASON CHASERS
We assess a fascinating generation including Lulamba, Koktail Divin, The Big Westerner, Kitzbuhel, Romeo Coolio, Final Demand, Meetmebythesea and Kaid d'Authie as they embark on their second seasons over fences.
CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP
Can anyone beat Gaelic Warrior in the Gold Cup? Gavin explains why this season could require punters to think differently about traditional Gold Cup form and identifies the horses capable of emerging as serious contenders.
GAVIN'S CHELTENHAM ANTE-POST PATENT
Gavin finishes with three early bets for Cheltenham 2027 and an ante-post Patent featuring selections at 16/1, 12/1 and 5/2.
CURRAGH TO CURRAGH CHARITY CYCLE
Gavin also tells us about the Curragh to Curragh Charity Cycle, part of the Pat Smullen Race Day, bringing cyclists, families and racing communities together to raise vital funds for Cancer Trials Ireland and support life-changing cancer research across Ireland. More information: Curragh to Curragh Charity Cycle
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🔵 Presented by 1xBet Ireland. More than 7,000 events per day, fast withdrawals & new customer specials. Bet €10 and get €48 when you use Promo Code 1XEMMET20 👉 https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. Your game. Your odds. Your 1xBet.
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