Lossiemouth can make her Champion Hurdle case when she fulfils 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 term but fell short of the mark when tried over the minimum distance in both the Christmas Hurdle and Irish Champion Hurdle.
However, with ace two-miler State Man ruled out for the season, a shuffling of Willie Mullins’ pack sees Rich Ricci’s dazzling grey given the opportunity to lay down 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 being out is obviously a big blow, but it looks a great opportunity for Lossiemouth to put her Champion Hurdle credentials on the line.
“Last year when she took on Constitution Hill and State Man at this distance she came up short, but this doesn’t look quite the same test. It’ll 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 waters, stepping out of novice company.
Held in high regard, connections would not be shocked if the JP McManus-owned gelding proved a more than worthy rival to Lossiemouth.
Mullins added: “Irancy is a fascinating contender and I know the Punchestown race kind of fell into his lap, but we think he is a high-class horse and we think he’s a proper Grade One horse, so it won’t be a cakewalk for Lossiemouth.
“He had little issues as a younger horse and went to Cheltenham with only one run beforehand last year which was his only bad run and he would have real potential.”
Gordon Elliott is the only handler other than Mullins to win this since 2011 and having temporarily halted the Closutton juggernaut 12 months ago with Brighterdaysahead, is well aware his Ndaawi will be up against it this time around.
Elliott said: “Lossiemouth looks a penalty kick in it, but we’re keen to take our chance and see where we are. It’s a tough ask, 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 bring back memories of Limestone Lad when sporting the colours synonymous with the Bowe family’s three-time Morgiana winner.
Kelly said: “It’s great to have a horse like him, obviously he has a lot to do on ratings and will need to improve to be of this standard, but we will learn a lot and the horse is in good order.
“We’re delighted to have him and he is running in famous colours so hopefully we can add to the story.
“There’s no pressure and it’s just another day at the races where we’ll go with the horse in as good as form as we can.
“The one thing about him is he will give his all and he always wears his heart on his sleeve, like all that family.
“We’re excited and it’s a small but select field. There’s good prize-money on offer and we know Lossiemouth, Irancy and Gordon’s horse are all very good horses, but if you’re not in you can’t win.”
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