Racing Apr 02, 2026

Cheltenham Festival: Lossiemouth leads nine contenders for Champion Hurdle crown

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Cheltenham Festival: 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 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 bookmakers making Lossiemouth the 9-4 joint-favourite with The New Lion.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tags:

racing news

Share this article

Related Posts

2000 Guineas: Albert Einstein the leading Classic hope for Aidan O'Brien

2000 Guineas: Albert Einstein the leading Classic hope for Aidan O'Brien

Aidan O’Brien is still effusive in his praise of Albert Einstein as the highly-touted colt moves into his three-year-old career.Unbeaten in two starts...

Constitution Hill: Ryan Moore set to partner Nicky Henderson's superstar on second Flat start at Kempton

Constitution Hill: Ryan Moore set to partner Nicky Henderson's superstar on second Flat start at Kempton

Constitution Hill is all set for Kempton Park on Wednesday as he prepares to have his second outing on the Flat.Nicky Henderson's nine-year-old is one...

2026 Flat season: Sky Sports Racing's Jamie Lynch nominates his horses to follow ahead of new season

2026 Flat season: Sky Sports Racing's Jamie Lynch nominates his horses to follow ahead of new season

Your Site Racing's Senior Form Analyst shortlists ten runners to add to your ATR Tracker for the coming campaign.It's that time of year in racing when...

2000 Guineas: Albert Einstein and Gstaad taken out of Newmarket Classic due to clerical error, O'Brien confirms

2000 Guineas: Albert Einstein and Gstaad taken out of Newmarket Classic due to clerical error, O'Brien confirms

Aidan O’Brien says a “computer error” led to Albert Einstein and Gstaad being mistakenly scratched from the Betfred 2000 Guineas.The much-vaunted Albe...

Doncaster tips: Tribal Chief fancied to strike gold in Lincoln

Doncaster tips: Tribal Chief fancied to strike gold in Lincoln

The flat is back! Kate Tracey is joined by Declan Rix and Sam Boswell to discuss the best betting angles for Doncaster's curtain-raiser.The panel paid...

Grand National: L'Homme Presse team 'completely devastated' as star is ruled out of Aintree feature

Grand National: L'Homme Presse team 'completely devastated' as star is ruled out of Aintree feature

Connections of L’Homme Presse have been left “completely devastated” after revealing their staying stalwart will miss the Randox Grand National.The 11...