Lossiemouth, a prominent contender for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, recovered from a startling fall at Leopardstown, leaving her future in the prestigious race secure.
Lossiemouth is on track to compete in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month, thankfully escaping serious injury from her dramatic fall at Leopardstown last Sunday. The grey mare faced off against stablemate and reigning champion hurdler State Man at the Dublin Racing Festival but unseated midway through the Irish Champion Hurdle when ridden by Danny Mullins.
This fortunate incident gifted the race to State Man and Paul Townend, although the duo narrowly avoided being brought down themselves. The mishap was an uncharacteristic error from the six-year-old mare, but Mullins believes he has identified the cause and attributes it to a flock of seagulls catching her attention just before the hurdle. 'It was going to be a hell of a race, I think with Lossiemouth and State Man at Leopardstown,' said Mullins. 'I don't know what happened to Lossiemouth. There was a flock of seagulls that just took off and maybe that took her eye off it because she just pricked her ears straight before the hurdle and then just didn't get up. It was if she was looking at something ahead of her and she just didn't get up high enough. Thankfully she's good after the race and Danny (Mullins) is good - he was just winded.' Mullins also dismissed any talk of the Rich Ricci-owned mare switching back to the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, a race she won a year ago. 'We're going for the Champion Hurdle with Lossiemouth. We've been training her for this for two years and I don't think my owner has ever said 'let's think about it.' Townend surprisingly remained loyal to State Man at Leopardstown despite a lackluster performance at Christmas, and Mullins believes he's also likely to partner him at Cheltenham. 'I can't see Paul on anything that has happened up to now getting off State Man. State Man only does what he has to do, he only beats a horse by a length and a half. He's never flashy.
LOSSIEMOUTH CHAMPION HURDLE LEOPARDSTOWN STATE MAN CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
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