Lossiemouth fends off Brighterdaysahead in Leopardstown December Hurdle
Lossiemouth claimed a ninth Grade One victory in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Lossiemouth repelled the strong challenge of the returning Brighterdaysahead to claim top honours in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Willie Mullins-trained Lossiemouth was a dominant winner of last month’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on her seasonal debut and was the 4-6 favourite to follow up and claim a ninth Grade One victory in the hands of Paul Townend.
Brighterdaysahead won this race by 30 lengths 12 months ago and with a planned novice chase campaign aborted after an autumn setback delayed her return, she was a 5-2 shot to successfully defend her crown for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy – and the two star mares ultimately came to the fore.
Brighterdaysahead’s stablemate Casheldale Lad was deployed in a pacesetting role for the first half of the contest before the other Mullins runner, Anzadam, pulled his way to the lead under Patrick Mullins in the back straight.
He predictably faltered from the home turn, leaving Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead to fight it out, and with the benefit of race fitness it was the former who had that bit more to give on the run-in and passed the post a length in front.
Willie Mullins said: “Paul had to go with Anzadam. She stays two and a half miles so he wasn’t going to be doing anything wrong going with him.
“I’m sure both mares will be back here for the Dublin Racing Festival. There aren’t too many options for those types of horses.
“Anzadam couldn’t get cover and was jumping so well he took Patrick to the front.
“I’m wondering should we be making the running with him in future. He has a fair engine and if we can control him, he is probably a Grade One horse.”
Lossiemouth remains Coral’s 3-1 second-favourite for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival behind 13-8 market leader Sir Gino. Brighterdaysahead, who has disappointed in two previous visits to Prestbury Park, is a 14-1 shot following her promising comeback effort.
