The Champion Hurdle protagonists remained, unsurprisingly, unmoved at the head of the market, with Constitution Hill the clear favourite and State Man the obvious Irish opposition. However, a statement performance from the latter’s stablemate Lossiemouth, did raise a number of eyebrows.
Last year’s Triumph Hurdle heroine has been the ante-post favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle since the beginning of the season, having swept most before her last term. However, few had any concrete idea of what she was capable of until the weekend, when she scooted clear on the bridle to win the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham on Trials Day by 9½ lengths from Love Envoi.
That rival, of course, was second in last year’s edition of the Mares’ Hurdle, in which she gave the great Honeysuckle a serious scare. That Lossiemouth was able to win so impressively has made her an odds-on shot for that contest, but also saw her shorten significantly into a clear position as third favourite for the Champion Hurdle too.
With Love Envoi and Rubaud trailing in her wake, the strength in depth of the home challenge is thin on the ground, but in Constitution Hill, who’s next race is set to be at the Festival, they still boast the standout star of the division.
Lossiemouth’s owner Rich Ricci is still intent on the mares’ race but could be persuaded to change his mind depending on the outcome of this weekend’s Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, and how persuasive trainer Willie Mullins is given his almighty position for the mares’ race. Ashroe Diamond claimed a Grade 2 at Doncaster at the weekend, and she would have an outstanding chance of winning should Lossiemouth go elsewhere.
Meanwhile, in the Irish Champion Hurdle, State Man will look to press forward his claims once again, as will Impaire Et Passe, the latest challenger to be vanquished by State Man at Christmas. Henry De Bromhead’s resurgent Bob Olinger is another contender who could shake up the market.