Lossiemouth leads nine contenders for Champion Hurdle crown

Lossiemouth will contest the Unibet Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, with Willie Mullins’ star mare one of nine declarations.

The seven-year-old mare was rerouted to Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle during last year’s meeting, which she duly won with ease for a second time.

Mullins and owner Rich Ricci have decided to have a crack at the Champion Hurdle this time around though, with Coral making Lossiemouth the 9-4 joint-favourite with The New Lion

Lossiemouth Set for Champion Hurdle Challenge

Mullins told Sporting Life: “Rich and I have been in dialogue on her target and after we spoke after racing at Gowran on Saturday, 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.”

Dan Skelton ’s The New Lion was a Trials day winner at Cheltenham on his most recent start in January, while Golden Ace who secured a surprise victory last year after crashing falls for Constitution Hill and State Man, will aim to defend her crown for Jeremy Scott.

Gordon Elliott ’s mare Brighterdaysahead is another who will go up against the boys, while Workahead will line up for Henry de Bromhead.

Mullins has also declared last season’s JCB Triumph winner Poniros and Anzadam while other British challengers come from Joe Tizzard’s Alexei and Tutti Quanti for Paul Nicholls.

Heavyweights Collide in Arkle Challenge Trophy

Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes will go head-to-head in a fascinating battle after seven horses were declared for the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase.

Henderson’s superstar Lulamba has yet to taste defeat in three chase races, while last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes, trained by Mullins, eased to a 13-length success on his only start over fences in November.

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.

W P Mullins

The Closutton handler has the only mare in the field with Kargese, while Steel Ally (Sam Thomas), Mambonumberfive (Ben Pauling), Jax Junior (Lucy Wadham) and Hansard (Gary and Josh Moore) complete the line-up.

Mullins Dominates Supreme Entries as Fields Take Shape

Old Park Star, Mighty Park and El Cairos all feature among 12 declarations for the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, with Grand National favourite Iroko heading a 22-strong field for the Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase.

Saratoga is one of 22 in the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, better known as the Fred Winter, with Madara heading the market for the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase and 17 declared for the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase.