Lossiemouth capped off another stellar season with a commanding victory in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Friday. The Willie Mullins-trained mare, sent off as the 2-7 favorite, cruised to a comfortable win in the two-mile Grade One contest, pulling clear approaching the final flight and crossing the line five lengths ahead of Golden Ace (11-1).
Ridden by Paul Townend, Lossiemouth has now won all four of her starts at the County Kildare track, adding to an impressive tally of 11 Grade One successes. The grey filly had previously secured her fourth Cheltenham Festival triumph in the Champion Hurdle at Prestbury Park last month.
Townend, enjoying a remarkable run of form after steering Gaelic Warrior to victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March and I Am Maximus to a Grand National win in April, reflected on the achievement. "A brilliant season," he told RTE. "I'm in the right camp to be on these very good horses - I'm very fortunate."
For Mullins, this victory marked a fourth consecutive success in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, following a hat-trick with State Man. Wilful (16/1) finished third.
Earlier, the Mullins-Townend combination struck again as 8-13 favorite King Rasko Grey won the Champion Novice Hurdle by a head from Lord Byren (7-1), holding off a late challenge. Kiely's Place (10-1) was third.