WILLIE MULLINS finally made his decision on where Lossiemouth will run – declaring her for the Mares’ Hurdle in a trademark late switcheroo.
Owner Rich Ricci told Sun Racing’s Cheltenham Festival Preview in association with Tote that she had been ‘campaigned as a Champion Hurdle horse but it hadn’t worked out’.
Willie Mullins, right, and Rich Ricci will watch awesome grey Lossiemouth run in the Mares’ Hurdle after taking her out of the Champion HurdleSportsfile – Subscription
🗣️'We campaigned her as a Champion Hurdle horse but it hasn't worked out'
— Sun Sport (@SunSport) March 7, 2025
Rich Ricci on Lossiemouth ahead of her crucial piece of work this weekend | @ToteRacing pic.twitter.com/t0gQpDycVj
Lossiemouth was well beaten by Constitution Hill at Kempton on Boxing Day and suffered a devastating fall vs State Man when last seen at the Dublin Racing Festival.
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Her price had fluctuated massively over the past few days as punters tried to guess which way the legendary trainer would go.
But the decision was finally made on Sunday morning as the declarations for the first day at Cheltenham were made.
And Paul Townend will ride Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle, where she will aim to defend the race she won 12 months ago.
Punters quickly brought back the nickname Switch Switchy for iconic owner Ricci, who celebrated 100 Grade 1 wins last November.
Lossiemouth’s task will arguably be made easier after Jeremy Scott made a last-minute call to declare Golden Ace for the Champion Hurdle.
Golden Ace beat Brighterdaysahead in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle last year – and the pair will meet again in the day one feature alongside Constitution Hill and State Man.
Mullins also confirmed Gala Marceau and Jade De Grugy for the Mares’ Hurdle, with Brian Hayes and Danny Mullins riding them respectively.
Kargese was not declared for the Mares’ Hurdle, which indicates she is likely to go for the County Hurdle on Friday.
Ricci said the Lossiemouth decision would be made after a key piece of work this weekend.
And come down to who Townend would be available to ride.
Initially she was hammered for the Champion Hurdle on Friday, with Betfair reporting a big price drop.
But some bookies closed markets early over the weekend once money came pouring in for the Mares’ Hurdle again.
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