Mullins set to give Lossiemouth another chance at two miles

Willie Mullins believes Lossiemouth did not show “what she really is” after she was forced to play second fiddle to Constitution Hill in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.

Having made a spectacular start to her campaign by dominating reigning champion Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, the grey mare travelled to Kempton Park for a mouthwatering clash with Nicky Henderson’s returning superstar, but the showdown was ultimately one-sided.

While Constitution Hill travelled and jumped with all his famed panache, Lossiemouth looked to be struggling to keep up from an early stage.

To her credit, the five-year-old did manage to make some inroads in the home straight, but in reality she could not lay a glove on her big rival and passed the post two and a half lengths behind.

Mullins watched on from Leopardstown, where he enjoyed a double, and is adamant Lossiemouth performed below par.

“I was a little disappointed with the run of Lossiemouth. I was disappointed with the way she tackled the first mile and a half of the race and disappointed with the way she went down to the first hurdle,” said the British and Irish champion trainer.

“I was happy enough where she finished after watching her for the first mile – that she finished well.

“Whether there is something amiss, I would have thought she would have more speed than that and she just looked outpaced over the first mile and a half.

“I don’t believe that’s what she really is. We’ll see does anything come out in the wash and try to plan our next race, wherever that’ll be.”

The Christmas Hurdle result unsurprisingly had a major impact on the ante-post betting for the Champion Hurdle, with Paddy Power cutting Constitution Hill to 8-11 from 7-4 and easing Lossiemouth’s odds to 8-1 from 2-1.

The same firm make Lossiemouth their even-money favourite from 3-1 to instead win a second Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, but Mullins appears happy to stick to the Champion Hurdle route for the time being.

“It’ll be either back here (for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown) or maybe the International in Cheltenham. I’m not too much worried about the trip, but they are the two options,” he added.

“The International is two miles and here is two miles and they are the only two options, so I’d imagine she’ll be running over two miles.

“Paul (Townend) felt the same as I did, he was surprised and felt she wasn’t herself. He thought she didn’t race like she normally does. She was a little behind herself for some reason.”

Townend said: “I don’t know what happened, I was never comfortable and never felt like I would win.

“I thought she actually ran a cracker to stay going as well as she did given the feeling I got off her throughout the race.

“We were struggling way too early and I don’t know why. Her heart kept her going. She ran OK, but we weren’t good enough on the day.

“You would always like to take them on again, but I’d like to find out why we under performed here today first.”