Willie Mullins' star mare Lossiemouth to run in the Champion Hurdle on day one of Cheltenham

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Willie Mullins' star mare Lossiemouth will run in the Unibet Champion Hurdle (4.00) on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The three-time festival winner had also been entered in the Mares' Hurdle, a race she has won at odds-on in each of the last two seasons, but will tackle the Tuesday highlight over a potential hat-trick bid.

• Follow day one declarations as they happen, plus all the Lossiemouth reaction with our live blog

Mullins told Sporting Life: "Rich [Ricci, owner] and I have been in dialogue on her target and, after we spoke after racing at Gowran, it's 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."

Lossiemouth: will wear headgear for the first time in her career in Tuesday's Champion HurdleCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Unibet cut Lossiemouth to 5-2 (from 11-4) following the news, with The New Lion remaining 9-4 favourite. The Champion Hurdle will be the first time that the star has worn headgear throughout her 17-race career.

The decision to run Lossiemouth in the Mares' over a high-profile clash with Constitution Hill and stablemate State Man in the Champion was one of the major talking points of last year's festival.

Lossiemouth eased to a seven-and-a-half-length victory in the Mares', before Golden Ace sprung a surprise in a chaotic Champion Hurdle just over half an hour later.

The schedule at Cheltenham has changed this season, with the Mares' now run on Thursday. Gordon Elliott's Wodhooh shortened to 4-6 for the Grade 1 following news that Lossiemouth wouldn't be running, with Mullins' Jade De Grugy shortening slightly to 100-30 (from 7-2).

Unibet Champion Hurdle (4.00 Cheltenham, Tuesday)
Ladbrokes: 2 The New Lion, 9-4 Lossiemouth, 9-2 Brighterdaysahead, 6 Golden Ace, 14 Poniros, 18 Alexei, 20 Tutti Quanti, 25 bar.

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