Lossiemouth can make her Champion Hurdle case when she fills the role of super-sub in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
Phenomenal at the last three Cheltenham Festivals, she also won the Hatton’s Grace and Aintree Hurdle last season, but fell short when attempting over the minimum distance in both the Christmas Hurdle and the Irish Champion Hurdle.
However, with the top two mile State Man ruled out for the season, a shuffle from Willie Mullins’ pack sees Rich Ricci’s dazzling gray get the chance to set an early marker over two miles in a race the Closutton yard has won a record 13 times.
Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father and winner of this race aboard Sharjah in 2021, said: “State Man’s retirement is obviously a big blow, but it looks like a great opportunity for Lossiemouth to put their Champion Hurdle credentials on the line.
“Last year when she competed at this distance against Constitution Hill and State Man she came up short, but this doesn’t seem quite the same test. It will let us know where we stand with her.”
Mullins is responsible for half of the four-strong line-up, with Punchestown Grade One winner Irancy also given the chance to test his mettle in deep water and break out of the novice party.
The connections, who are highly regarded, would not be shocked if JP McManus’ gelding proved a more than worthy rival to Lossiemouth.
Mullins added: “Irancy is a fascinating contender and I know the Punchestown race fell into his lap, but we think he’s a high class horse and we think he’s a real Grade One horse so it won’t be a cakewalk for Lossiemouth.
“He had few problems as a younger horse and went to Cheltenham last year with just one run, which was his only bad run and he is said to have real potential.”
Gordon Elliott is the only handler other than Mullins to have won this victory since 2011 and having temporarily halted the Closutton giants with Brighterdaysahead 12 months ago, he is well aware that his Ndaawi will have to deal with it this time.
Elliott said: “Lossiemouth are looking at a penalty but we’d like to take our chance and see where we are. It’s a tough question but if you don’t run you don’t have a chance.”
Completing the quartet is David Kelly’s improving course winner Glen Kiln, who will evoke memories of Limestone Lad when he wears the colors synonymous with the Bowe family’s three-time Morgiana winner.
Kelly said: “It’s great to have a horse like him. He clearly still has a lot to do in terms of assessment and will have to improve to get to this level, but we will learn a lot and the horse is in good condition.
“We are happy to have him and he is riding in famous colours, so hopefully we can add something to the story.
“There is no pressure and it is just another day at the races where we will go with the horse in the best shape possible.
“The one thing about him is that he will give everything and he always wears his heart on his sleeve, just like that whole family.
“We’re excited and it’s a small but select field. There’s good prize money on offer and we know the Lossiemouth horse, Irancy and Gordon are all very good horses, but if you don’t enter you can’t win.”
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