Willie Mullins confirms Lossiemouth plan for Cheltenham | Racing | Sport
Willie Mullins has confirmed that Lossiemouth will compete in the Unibet Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, after her Cheltenham Festival target was finally decided. Lossiemouth touched down in Cheltenham on Saturday evening, with connections choosing to apply cheekpieces for the first time ahead of Tuesday’s contest.
The seven-year-old had also been entered in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, where she could have pursued a hat-trick, but will instead make her debut in Tuesday’s feature event. Following discussions on Saturday evening, Mullins and owner Rich Ricci determined that the moment was right for their star mare to compete in the two-mile championship race.
Lossiemouth, who claimed last year’s Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, is quoted at 11/4 for the race, with Dan Skelton’s The New Lion leading the market at a general 15/8.
“Rich and I have been in dialogue on her target,” Mullins told Sporting Life (via Racing TV). “After we spoke after racing at Gowran it has been decided that Lossiemouth will run in the Champion Hurdle.
“With the declaration timing she was always going to travel over to England when she has and we’re happy to let her take her chance on Tuesday where she’ll wear cheekpieces.”
Irish Champion Hurdle winner Brighterdaysahead will also feature in the race. Trainer Gordon Elliott said: “She’s going to be based at Olly Murphy’s (yard). She’s in good form and we’re looking forward to it. I’m hopeful more than confident.”
Meanwhile, Galopin Des Champs will not compete at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, with Mullins confirming the dual Gold Cup winner has encountered a setback. “Unfortunately, Galopin Des Champs has been ruled out for the rest of the season,” he said.
“After working very well on Thursday morning he wasn’t right on Friday morning and will miss the Gold Cup and the other spring Festivals.”
The Cheltenham Festival remains one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures in the racing calendar, with the prestigious Gold Cup set as the fifth race on Friday, March 13th.
