Lounaos flop still a mystery
The filly was sent off the well-supported 7-2 favourite for the Grade One championship event, having previously finished fourth behind her elders in the AIG Champion Hurdle.
However, Lounaos was beaten some way from home and trailed in a well-beaten 10th behind Alan King’s impressive winner Katchit.
Griffin said: “She’s fine after the race and there was nothing wrong with her but to be honest we were disappointed.
“There’s no obvious reason to explain why she ran below par, but that’s racing for you – she just didn’t act on the day.
“Nothing has come to light and her shoe was slightly twisted but I wouldn’t be pulling that out as an excuse.
“I think even if she had run to her best it would have been very difficult to see her beating the winner as he was very impressive,” Griffin added.
“I think the best we could have hoped for would have been second.”
