Lossiemouth puts her Champion Hurdle credentials on the line against Anzadam and Brighterdaysahead in sizzling showdown

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Finally, it looks as though Lossiemouth is going to get her shot at the big one.

An unfortunate injury to State Man appears to have left the door open for the grey mare to step into his shoes and become the number one Closutton hope for the Champion Hurdle.

The fact she was sent to the Morgiana at Punchestown backs up that theory, and she could not have done any more than she did there; an effortless 19-length success over Glen Kiln ensured a flawless start to the new campaign.

She is already a three-time Cheltenham Festival winner, having landed the 2023 Triumph Hurdle and the Mares' Hurdle for the last two years, and she is no bigger than 7-2 to make that four on the spin in the Champion Hurdle in March. Victory here would more than likely see her edge closer to Sir Gino at the top of that market.

Her trainer Willie Mullins said: "She comes here in tip-top form. She skipped this race last year to go to Kempton and I think she’s in better form this year. I’m hoping she'll be the one to beat."

Pricewise winner!

Tom Segal tipped the 5-1 Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs on Saturday and he was at it again when tipping Affordale Fury for the Savills Chase. The Leopardstown winner was available at 33-1 on Saturday evening before being smashed in the market and going off at 7-1.

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'Jack is very happy and when Jack is happy I'm happy' - Gordon Elliott on Brighterdaysahead

There were few more explosive performances in Ireland last season than the runaway romp by Brighterdaysahead in this very race last year.

That was the mare in her pomp, a relentless display of galloping that even the mighty State Man couldn't live with on the day.

Whether that performance took its toll or not, who knows, but she certainly wasn't the same afterwards. The one who appeared in the Champion Hurdle and again at Punchestown was a pale shadow of the Brighterdaysahead we saw at Leopardstown 12 months ago.

The problem punters have now is not knowing which Brighterdaysahead will show up here.

Brighterdaysahead picked up a knock in the Champion Hurdle

Brighterdaysahead: ready for her reappearance at Leopardstown on MondayCredit: Patrick McCann

A chasing campaign had originally been mapped out for the six-year-old, but those plans were shelved after she missed intended engagements at Down Royal and Navan in November. Gordon Elliott has opted to stick to hurdles now, and we will find out here whether it was a masterstroke or not.

Elliott said: "She seems great. Jack [Kennedy] rode her in a piece of work the other day and he was smiling from head to toe afterwards. When Jack is happy I'm happy.

"Look, let's call a spade a spade, it's not going to be easy taking on a race-fit Lossiemouth and we're up against it, but she was very good in this race last year and seems to be in very good form at home, so we're hoping for a big run."

'I expect Anzadam to come forward a good bit from Fighting Fifth' - Patrick Mullins

The Fighting Fifth was supposed to reveal exactly how good Anzadam was, but instead it left us with more questions than answers.

The five-year-old went over to Newcastle with an unbeaten record and was just 11-4 to take down Constitution Hill and The New Lion, but he still couldn't win it after both of those departed. Despite hitting an in-running low of 1-3 on the Betfair Exchange, he couldn't find a way past Golden Ace and was beaten a length and a half.

Anzadam drifted all the way out to 20-1 for the Champion Hurdle after that defeat, but Patrick Mullins is convinced there is more to come.

Anzadam and Paul Townend win the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas

Anzadam (left): finished second in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last monthCredit: Patrick McCann

The record-breaking champion amateur takes over in the saddle from Paul Townend, who has unsurprisingly picked Lossiemouth, and he thinks expects an improved performance from Anzadam.

Mullins said: "I thought he ran very well at Newcastle and I'd expect him to come forward a good bit from that. That said, he needs to step up considerably to trouble Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead. I'm looking forward to getting on his back, though."

Anzadam is owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, who are also responsible for new Champion Hurdle favourite Sir Gino following his stylish winning reappearance in the Christmas Hurdle over at Kempton.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Casheldale Lad
He was running a huge race in the Hatton's Grace before he came down at the last. He's a rapidly improving young horse and hopefully he can give another good account of himself. It wouldn't surprise me to see him go well here, although it's a very hot race and he has an awful lot to do on ratings.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Hello Neighbour
He had a racecourse gallop the other day and we were happy with how that went. He’s in good nick and as a previous Grade 1 winner, hopefully he can outrun his price. It’s always hard on their first run back, and it’s just as difficult for a four-year-old in this company. If he ran well and wasn’t beaten too far, we’d be delighted. The rest of his season really hinges on this race, but if all goes well hopefully we can take him down the Champion Hurdle route.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Irancy and Winter Fog
I think Irancy might need a longer trip than what he’s getting here. He might need a change of tactics too, but a stronger pace will suit him in this. It’s going to be tough for him though. Winter Fog will try to get as much prize-money as he can. He always runs a good race around Leopardstown.

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