The Final Furlong Podcast

It’s one of the biggest days of the National Hunt calendar - Boxing Day / St Stephen’s Day — and The Final Furlong Podcast is your complete betting guide to Kempton, Leopardstown and Limerick. Emmet Kennedy is joined by Andy Newton, Jamie Wrenn and Peter Michael for a fast-paced, opinion-packed preview featuring strong fancies, big prices, lively debate and the usual Christmas craic. 🟥 2:30 Kempton – King George VI Chase (Grade 1) The feature race delivers a blockbuster clash: Gaelic Warrior | Fact To File | Jango Baie | The Jukebox Man | Banbridge | Djelo | Il Est Français The panel are split right down the middle: Two are strongly confident about one horse Two are firmly with another A proper King George debate, with angles you won’t hear everywhere else. 🟦 1:05 Kempton – Formby Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) Supreme Novices’ favourite Mydaddypaddy is short in the market. Do the lads trust him… or take him on? 🟧 1:10 Leopardstown – Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) Always one of the most informative juvenile races of the season.The panel split between Narciso Has and Barbizon, while Puppet Master — a Lingfield Derby Trial winner — is a fascinating recruit to hurdles. 🟩 1:20 Kempton – Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) Kitzbuhel heads the market for Willie Mullins, but: Three of the panel agree a bigger-priced runner should be favourite Peter Michael puts up a 10/1 shot as one of his bets of the day 🟨 1:33 Limerick – Defender Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) The team put forward 13/2 and 11/2 selections in a tricky Grade 2. 🟪 1:55 Kempton – Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) Is Sir Gino a good thing? Or can Golden Ace land yet another major two-mile Grade 1? 🟦 2:20 Leopardstown – Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1) Romeo Coolio is odds-on for Gordon Elliott — but two of the panel back a rival to outshine him on the day. With Grade 1 clashes, confident opinions, big-price alternatives and festive atmosphere, this is essential listening before placing a Boxing Day bet. 🔵 Presented by 1xBet.ie More than 7,000 events per day, fast withdrawals and new customer specials: 👉 https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH 18+ | T&Cs apply | Gamble responsiblyYour game, your odds, your 1xBet 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for full previews, expert segments & betting insight 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple & Podbean — all major platforms 💬 Comment: Who wins the King George — Gaelic Warrior or Fact To File? 👍 Like & share to support the show this Christmas 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: [email protected] 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

Welcome to the first of our Christmas Betting Guide Specials on The Final Furlong Podcast. Emmet Kennedy is joined by former Grade 1-winning jockeys Lizzie Kelly and Daryl Jacob, alongside racing analyst Jamie Wrenn, for a deep, opinionated, price-led preview of the biggest races of the festive period. Grade 1 clashes, major handicaps, bold views, and four Christmas NAPs — this is essential listening if you’re betting over Christmas. 🟥 KING GEORGE VI CHASE (Grade 1) – THE FESTIVE CENTREPIECE The panel open with Kempton’s showpiece: Gaelic Warrior vs Fact To File – the Willie Mullins rematch Can Il Est Francais, Banbridge, Djelo, Jango Baie or The Jukebox Man spoil the party? Strong disagreements, tactical angles, and value-driven conclusions 🟦 CHRISTMAS HURDLE (Grade 1) – SIR GINO UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Sir Gino bids for a third consecutive Christmas Hurdle, but doubts linger after injury. Is he a good thing… or a vulnerable favourite? 🟨 REWARDS CLUB CHASE (Grade 1) – MARINE NATIONALE RETURNS Barry Connell sounded bullish about Marine Nationale ahead of Leopardstown. Is he the one they all have to beat — or is Majborough ready to announce himself at the top level? 🟩 FUTURE CHAMPIONS NOVICE HURDLE (Grade 1) The panel discuss three Willie Mullins novices with serious Cheltenham Festival potential. 🟥 BIG HANDICAPS: VALUE & INSIDE INFO We land on big-price selections for: Paddy Power Chase Welsh Grand National Including an exclusive jockey booking on a 14/1 shot that could turn into a serious gamble. Lizzie Kelly also gives her 14/1 NAP of the Christmas period in one of these races. 🟦 SAVILLS CHASE (Grade 1) – RIPE FOR AN UPSET? The team put up 25/1 and 14/1 selections in a Grade 1 where the market may have it wrong. 🟨 CHRISTMAS HURDLE (IRELAND) – TEOHUPPOO VS BALLYBURN The rematch everyone wanted — and the panel are split right down the middle. 🟥 GUINNESS 00 FAUGHEEN NOVICE CHASE (Grade 1) Is Final Demand simply a good thing… or is there a chink in the armour? 🟩 DECEMBER HURDLE (Grade 1) Can Brighterdaysahead bounce back? Will Wodhooh continue her rise? Or does Lossiemouth have too much class for them all? 💰 FOUR CHRISTMAS NAPS – ONE IN EACH RACE The panel deliver four Christmas NAPs, all running in different races — perfect for a festive Lucky 15. 🔵 Presented by 1xBet Ireland. More than 7,000 events per day, fast withdrawals, and new customer specials. 👉 https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. 1xBet knows the craic. Bet with your head, not above it. 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for Christmas previews, Grade 1 breakdowns & betting insight🎧 Follow on Spotify, Apple & Podbean so you never miss a festive special💬 Comment: Who wins the King George?👍 Like & share to support the show ⚡ Proven Form: Winners tipped recently at 20/1, 16/1, 14/1, 12/1, and 10/1.🎯 Smart betting meets sharp analysis — only on The Final Furlong Podcast. 💬 Comment below  👍 Likes appreciated. 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: [email protected] 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

It’s a Final Furlong Saturday Betting Special as Emmet Kennedy, Andy Newton, George Gorman and Peter Michael return with your complete Ascot & Haydock Racing Guide. Big handicaps, a Grade 1 centrepiece, strong opinions, and NAPs at proper prices — this is essential listening if you’re betting this weekend. 🟩 THE HEADLINE SELECTIONS George Gorman: 15/2 NAP • 4/1 Next Best Andy Newton: 5/1 NAP • 3/1 & 8/1 Next Bests Emmet Kennedy: 8/1 NAP Peter Michael: 5/2 NAP + a list of horses worth keeping firmly onside 🟥 ASCOT — GRADE 1 & PREMIER HANDICAPS 2:25 — Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) A deep dive into the season’s key staying hurdle. Who’s solid, who’s vulnerable, and where the value really lies. 1:50 — Howden Handicap Chase A competitive puzzle — the team identify one profile that keeps cropping up. 3:00 — Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) Big field, big prices, and strong disagreements across the panel. 3:35 — Festive Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) One panellist is notably bullish at a double-figure price. 🟦 HAYDOCK — HARD GRAFT, HARD TRUTH 2:05 — Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase Stamina, jumping, and winter ground — the panel zero in on the right type. 2:40 — Abram Hurdle (Listed Mares’ Novice) A mare the market keeps overlooking draws serious support. 🟧 FINAL WORD This is a proper Saturday punters’ roadmap — price-led, form-driven, and built to help you make better decisions, not louder ones. 🔵 Presented by 1xBet Ireland More than 7,000 events per day, fast withdrawals, and new customer specials. 👉 https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. Your game. Your odds. Your 1xBet. 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly betting guides and expert previews🎧 Follow on Spotify, Apple & Podbean so you never miss an episode💬 Comment: What’s your NAP of the weekend?👍 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: [email protected] 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

In a Final Furlong Podcast Special, Emmet Kennedy is joined by multiple Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Barry Connell for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation — presented without commercial interruption by 1xBet Ireland. This is a rare, candid insight into Cheltenham planning, elite horses, and the realities of modern jump racing. 🟥 WILLIAM MUNNY: CHAMPION HURDLE COMEBACK PLAN Barry opens by explaining why he is so excited about William Munny as a Champion Hurdle contender — and why his enforced absence through injury has been such a source of frustration. He reveals: The exact race being targeted for William Munny’s comeback Why this prep is designed specifically for a Champion Hurdle tilt What makes Munny different from other hurdlers in the division 🟦 MARINE NATIONALE: CHRISTMAS COMEBACK Attention then turns to stable star Marine Nationale, the reigning Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, ahead of his seasonal return at Leopardstown over Christmas. Barry discusses: How ready the triple Grade 1 winner is right now What to expect from his Leopardstown run How the season is being shaped around another major Festival campaign 🟨 THE JONBON DEBATE Barry doesn’t hold back on Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon, explaining why he believes: “He is not a proper Grade 1 performer.” He also challenges what he sees as the British racing media’s obsession with Jonbon — and why that focus has, in his view, led to the horse being significantly overrated. 🟥 NEW RECRUITS & HANDICAP PLANS Barry then lifts the lid on future Festival runners, revealing plans for: Ksar Fatal – an exciting new addition to the yard Hgranca De Thaix EachtoTheirown My Immortal One is being aimed at the Coral Cup, one at the County Hurdle, and another towards a handicap chase — with Barry explaining the thinking behind each route. 🟩 SYSTEMS, STRATEGY & WHAT’S BROKEN The conversation broadens into the wider sport: Why Barry believes HRI’s Academy Hurdles are a nonsense How British trainers are gaining ground through smarter buying strategies Why changes in sourcing and profiling horses could be game-changing for jump racing This is an episode packed with insight, controversy, and genuine Festival intelligence — and one you don’t want to miss if you’re serious about Cheltenham. 🔵 Presented by 1xBet Ireland. More than 7,000 events per day, fast withdrawals, and new customer specials. 👉 https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. Your game. Your odds. Your 1xBet. 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for exclusive trainer interviews & Festival insight 🎧 Follow on Spotify, Apple & Podbean for instant episode alerts 💬 Comment: Is Jonbon overrated? 👍 Like & share to support independent racing media ⚡ Proven Form: Winners tipped recently at 20/1, 16/1, 14/1, 12/1, and 10/1.🎯 Smart betting meets sharp analysis — only on The Final Furlong Podcast. 💬 Comment below  👍 Likes appreciated. 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: [email protected] 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

This week on The Final Furlong Podcast, Emmet Kennedy and Lizzie Kelly are joined by one of the defining figures of modern jump racing. A four-time Champion Jockey, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, the second most successful rider in National Hunt history, and now a successful syndicate owner - Richard Johnson. 🟥 CHELTENHAM, KIKIJO & THE EMOTIONAL SHIFT Richard explains why watching Kikijo win at Cheltenham was more nerve-wracking than riding a Gold Cup. Lizzie Kelly explores what’s harder: controlling a horse at 30mph or standing powerless on the sidelines. We discuss the symbolism of winning at Cheltenham in family colours, and why the link with Philip Hobbs and Johnson White matters so deeply. 🟦 FROM JOCKEY TO OWNER: THE SYNDICATE REALITY Richard opens up about the biggest surprises since moving into ownership: • Why syndicates may be the future of racing • Why ex-jockeys often thrive running them • The hardest conversations owners never see • The mistakes new owners make — and how he protects them from it This is essential listening for anyone considering getting involved in ownership. 🟩 CAMPAIGNING THE HORSES: THE JOCKEY INSTINCT NEVER LEAVES Should you protect a handicap mark — or run when the horse is right? Richard explains his thinking with Kikijo, updates us on Party Vibes, and shares which horses he’s most excited about next. He also explains how listeners can get involved in the Richard Johnson Racing syndicate. 🎄 CHRISTMAS RACING & THE BIG QUESTIONS • What would Richard do with Constitution Hill now? • How does he see the Champion Hurdle division shaping up? • Could a handicapper still emerge to win it — Rooster Booster style? • Is Golden Ace the one to beat over Christmas? • Who would Richard most want to ride in the King George VI Chase? 🟥 KEMPTON, THE JOCKEY CLUB & RACING’S FUTURE We close with one of the most important conversations you’ll hear all season. Kempton’s future has never looked more uncertain: • A Redrow development option running to 2028 • A new Planning & Infrastructure Bill favouring large developments • The Jockey Club investing heavily elsewhere while cutting costs • The real possibility that racing’s most accessible winter track could be lost From a jockey’s perspective, Richard explains: • What Kempton gives the sport that no other track does • Why it matters culturally and commercially • Whether racing will regret losing it — or justify it later as “necessary” 🐎 PLUS: TWO HORSES TO FOLLOW Richard names two horses from the Richard Johnson Racing Syndicate to keep firmly onside over the next month. 🔵 Presented by 1xBet.ie More than 7,000 events per day, fast withdrawals, and new customer specials. 👉 https://cutt.ly/0r7bzDoH 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. Your game. Your odds. Your 1xBet. 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for elite interviews, insight & industry debate🎧 Follow on Spotify, Apple & Podbean so you never miss an episode💬 Comment: What would Kempton’s loss mean for racing?👍 Like & share to support independent racing media ⚡ Proven Form: Winners tipped recently at 20/1, 16/1, 14/1, 12/1, and 10/1.🎯 Smart betting meets sharp analysis — only on The Final Furlong Podcast. 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: [email protected] 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