Racing Apr 03, 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

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Edwardstone headlines five-strong Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Edwardstone headlines five-strong Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton

Alan King's Edwardstone goes in search of yet more glory in this afternoon's Sussex Champion Chase - live on Your Site Racing.The veteran Edwardstone...

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton feature live on Saturday

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton feature live on Saturday

We have a busy day’s racing on Saturday with action from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton, live on Your Site Racing...In-form Calimystic and Kap Quest l...

Trainer Evan Williams found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent over dog walker attack

Trainer Evan Williams found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent over dog walker attack

Trainer Evan Williams could be jailed after he was convicted of assaulting a dog walker who was on his land late at night.Williams, 54, repeatedly str...

Cheltenham tips: No Drama This End backed to fend off Irish challengers in Turners Novices' Hurdle

Cheltenham tips: No Drama This End backed to fend off Irish challengers in Turners Novices' Hurdle

Kate Tracey and Declan Rix return to discuss their best bets for day two of the Cheltenham Festival.The team opened the show with a look at the Turner...

Cheltenham Festival: Kargese keeps it clean for Arkle Novices' Chase success as mistakes cost big two

Cheltenham Festival: Kargese keeps it clean for Arkle Novices' Chase success as mistakes cost big two

Kargese sprang a minor surprise as she claimed victory in the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.Sent off a 7-1 shot with all...

Cheltenham tips: Old Park Star tipped to get home team off to perfect start in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Cheltenham tips: Old Park Star tipped to get home team off to perfect start in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle

As the Cheltenham Festival looms, Kate Tracey is joined by Declan Rix and Sam Boswell to discuss their top fancies across Tuesday's card.The panel too...