3.20 2m. 3f. 200yds. 10 Declared. Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £124,200.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €69,887.00 2nd - €26,330.00 3rd - €13,178.00 4th - €6,583.00 5th - €3,304.00 6th - €1,652.00 7th - €820.00 8th - €422.00
Formscan - A hurdler out of the top drawer, LOSSIEMOUTH, who had the option of switching to the Champion Hurdle, bids to win this for the second time having returned the impressive victor 12 months ago. Wilie Mullins' mare found only Constitution Hill too good in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in December, before suffering a rare mishap when falling at Leopardstown last month, and she can stamp her authority on this field. Stablemate Jade De Grugy landed a Grade 1 contest at Fairyhouse as a novice last year and should have plenty more to offer this season. She returned to action with a convincing success in Grade 3 company at Punchestown, while July Flower returned to Henry De Bromhead's yard with a Grade 3 victory at Leopardstown and she seems sure to give another good account of herself. Nicky Henderson takes on the Irish raiders with Joyeuse, who won a competitive Grade 3 handicap hurdle at Newbury last month. The latter finished a promising runner-up here before that, when Take No Chances was a neck behind in third, and that pair are hard to separate.