Kitzbuhel climbs to the top of Brown Advisory mountain

Kitzbuhel roared back to top form with an exhibition of jumping from the front before edging out Final Demand in a tremendous finish to the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trained by Willie Mullins, the six-year-old had excelled at Kempton when winning the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on Boxing Day, but was somewhat underrated in the betting at 11-1 after falling at Sandown in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.

Having come under scrutiny for his ride on No Drama This End in the opening Turners Novices’ Chase, Harry Cobden – partnering the grey for the first time – was at his brilliant best, leaving nothing to chance, finding some spectacular leaps from his mount as he led the field from start to finish.

The challengers loomed heading for home, none more so than stablemate Final Demand, who also showcased his very best to push the winner hard in the closing stages, with only three-quarters of a length separating the pair at the end of three miles.

Salver finished third for Gary and Josh Moore at 25-1, but jumping errors saw Gordon Elliott’s 9-4 favourite Romeo Coolio play no part in proceedings on his first start at three miles.