'It looks like we've found one' - impressive Lossiemouth new Triumph favourite

Sunday: Fairyhouse

On a day dominated by Gordon Elliott and the first ever defeat of Honeysuckle, space on the podium has to be found for Lossiemouth, whose performance in the Grade 3 Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle was the best seen by a three-year-old hurdler this season.

The Rich Ricci-owned filly by Great Pretender sat off the pace and when Danny Mullins asked her to pick up between the final two flights she showed a real burst of acceleration to get there.

After a brilliant jump at the last, she was always doing enough to hold off favourite and stablemate Zarak The Brave by four lengths.

The French import was cut to 4-1 favourite from 12-1 for the Triumph Hurdle by Paddy Power, and trainer Willie Mullins said: "She came with a nice reputation from France and had been working nicely at home, but that was way better than anything she had done before.

"Today was a finding-out mission to see what we had, and it looks like we've found a good one.

"Danny was amazed. He said he could have gone at any stage and that she had so much scope in her jumping and was very, very good.

"We found out a lot today. We'll have a look, she could run at Christmas."

Magic weekend for Mullins

After the performance of Noble Yeats at Aintree on Saturday, Emmet Mullins has the latest Gold Cup talking horse in his care, and his weekend could not have ended any better when Merlin Giant ran out an authoritative winner of the €100,000 Grade A handicap hurdle.

Donagh Meyler rode the son of Camelot with tremendous confidence and he dismissed the challenge of the dangerous-looking Pinkerton from the final flight.

Carrying the colours of the Mees, the winner could be a candidate for the Galway Hurdle next summer.

Merlin Giant completes a memorable weekend for trainer Emmet Mullins with victory in the 2m handicap hurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

Mullins said: "He won well and Donagh said he gave him a great feel. Coming into that grade of handicap hurdle was a bit of an unknown, but he coped well off his mark.

"I'd say he'll get a break now and come back next summer. He could be prepared for the Galway Hurdle, but he's a very versatile horse and could have options on the Flat too.

"It would be a shame to lose his novice status without picking up another of those. We have options, at least."

Four more for Elliott

Gordon Elliott's four-timer on the day (making it seven for the weekend) was initiated when Jordan Gainford partnered Punitive to a battling victory in the 3m5f Porterstown Handicap Chase.

The Shantou gelding seemed to hit a flat spot before the straight, but stayed on resolutely from the second-last to score by two and a half lengths from his Jack Kennedy-ridden stable companion Fakiera.

The winner might not have run but for unseating early in the Troytown Chase at Navan the previous week, and Elliott said: "The conditions and the trip suited him so it was a good performance. The second has run well again but just hasn't had the luck.

"I suppose the Thyestes would be the target for the winner, he'll get his ground there."

Better Days Ahead (Jamie Codd) completes a four-timer on the card for Gordon Elliott in the concluding bumperCredit: Patrick McCann

Elliott's four-timer was completed in the concluding bumper when recent Down Royal runner-up Better Days Ahead scored readily under Jamie Codd.

The four-year-old quickened away in good style to score by three and a quarter lengths from Chapeau De Soleil.

Both horses were among the 10-1 co-favourites for the Champion Bumper with Paddy Power after the race.

Results, replays and analysis

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