Mullins off to a winning start as Lossiemouth wins Triumph Hurdle

A power run by Lossiemouth gave Willie Mullins and Paul Townend a winning start to Day four at Cheltenham

WINNING START: Lossiemouth, with Paul Townend up, celebrate winning the JCB Triumph Hurdle  Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Punters got off to the perfect start on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham as Lossiemouth justified 11-8 favouritism to the win the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

It was a sweet success for Paul Townend given Willie Mullins has been publicly critical of the ride the jockey gave Lossiemouth when the Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned mare lost her unbeaten record at the Dublin Racing Festival last month.