Lounaos on Cheltenham trail
The five-year-old was sent off favourite for last year’s JCB Triumph Hurdle but could finish only 10th behind Katchit.
Lounaos was last seen when fourth in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown but Griffin is planning a step up in trip for the David Nicholson Mares’ Only Hurdle at the Festival.
“She ran quite well (last time) and we were reasonably happy with her,” said Griffin.
“She’ll go for the mares’ race at Cheltenham now where I think two and a half miles will probably suit her better.
“I think she’d gone over the top last year come Cheltenham and this year she’ll be going back there a lot fresher.”
Meanwhile, Time Electric will not run again before tackling the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.
The six-year-old was an impressive winner on his racecourse bow at Leopardstown, skating home by eight lengths from Santo Stefano last December.
Trainer Thomas Mullins had considered giving Time Electric a prep run before the Festival but he has now decided against another outing.
“I gave him a bit of a break a few weeks after Leopardstown and he did so well,” he said.
“He did so well with a bit of a break that we decided we wouldn’t take a chance with him.
“He’ll go straight to Cheltenham and it should be great. He’s a fair tool of the horse.”
Time Electric is the general 6-1 favourite for the Cheltenham Grade One event.
