There was pre-Christmas gift for horse racing fans at Fairyhouse on Sunday as the current Champion Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth went head-to-head with the Stayers’ Hurdle market leader Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace.
However, despite the tight market with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK, the race was anything but close – with the popular grey mare Lossiemouth destroying Teahupoo – winning by an easy 3 3/4 lengths (watch below).
Lossiemouth Now The Clear Champion Hurdle Favourite After Hatton’s Grace Romp
Owner Rich Ricci, who has won the Champion Hurdle twice before with Faugheen and Annie Power, will be dreaming of a third next March after his exciting mare Lossiemouth stamped her authority on the market with a clear-cut win in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday 1st December.
Jockey Paul Townend had the Willie Mullins-trained 5 year-old switched off at the back of the small field of four, which contained a trio of Gordon Elliott runners and last season’s Stayers’ Hurdle hero Teahupoo.
However, having travelled well through the race, and only making one slight error in the jumping department – Lossiemouth was produced by Townend up the Fairyhouse straight to cruise past a ‘hard-at-work’ Teahupoo – eventually winning by 3 3/4 lengths and it could have been more.
Wow! 😍
Lossiemouth is all class under @PTownend in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle 🏆 @WillieMullinsNH @BarOneRacing | @Fairyhouse pic.twitter.com/8nERH6E7x7
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 1, 2024
As a result, the best betting sites in the UK firmed Lossiemouth up in the Champion Hurdle market for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival – making here the clear 2/1 market leader.
Lossiemouth will be looking to become the first Hatton’s Grace Hurdle winner to follow up in the Champion Hurdle since Honeysuckle in the 2021-22 season.
Paul Townend Will Have To Pick Between State Man and Lossiemouth In The Champion Hurdle
It’s a nice problem to have, but top Irish jockey Paul Townend – who is the number one stable rider to Willie Mullins – will now have to pick between State Man and Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday 11th March 2025.
Of course, a lot can still happen between now at the big race at the Cheltenham Festival – but Townend will have a tricky selection to make.
Does he come off the current Champion Hurdler State Man – the horse that gave him his first winner in the race?
Or does he switch to the exciting Lossiemouth, who will also get a handy 7lbs mares’ allowance?
Sir Gino Also Threw His Hat Into The Champion Hurdle Ring With Easy Fighting Fifth Hurdle Win
Those looking to take Lossiemouth on will turn to the recent Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner Sir Gino – who was equally impressive in winning that Grade One Hurdle at Newcastle at the weekend.
Sir Gino powered home by 8 lengths and even though connections had pondered a career over fences this season, after this easy victory this 4 year-old’s entry over the bigger obstacles might have to put on hold.
The horse was cut to between 3/1 and 5/1 for the Champion Hurdle, depending on who you shop with – and is also owned by the Donnellys, who have State Man.
Sir Gino will be hoping to give trainer Nicky Henderson a tenth Champion Hurdle – if he makes the final runners come March.
Constitution Hill’s Champion Hurdle Participation Still Uncertain
Nicky Henderson could also still have the 2023 Champion Hurdler – Constitution Hill – in the Champion Hurdle too.
The classy 7 year-old hasn’t been seen since winning the Christmas Hurdle last season on Boxing Day, after suffering several setbacks since.
He was due to run in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday 30th November, but was found to be lame after a recent racecourse gallop at Newbury.
Connections are still hopeful he’ll be back on the track in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton later this month – but with all his issues it’s very much a day-by-day update on whether this will happen.
Despite this, the layers are still taking no chances on Constitution Hill at 9/2 joint second favourite with State Man in the 2025 Champion Hurdle market.
