Lossiemouth Poised for Christmas Clash with Constitution Hill
Connections of Lossiemouth are leaning towards a Boxing Day showdown with Constitution Hill in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. The five-year-old mare, trained by Willie Mullins, made a commanding start to her campaign by defeating Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle earlier this month, a performance that vaulted her to the top of the Champion Hurdle betting market.
Mullins, who also trains reigning Champion Hurdle winner State Man, is aiming to separate his stable stars over the festive period. While Lossiemouth is entered for Leopardstown’s December Hurdle on December 29, her owner, Rich Ricci, indicated that Kempton is the favoured target, though the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 1 remains a backup option.
“I think we’re leaning towards the Christmas Hurdle,” Ricci told At The Races’ Unbridled podcast. “But there’s also the option of the New Year’s Day race at Cheltenham. She will run somewhere at Christmas, but right now Kempton seems the likely choice.”
Constitution Hill a Formidable Opponent
If Lossiemouth heads to Kempton, she could face Constitution Hill, Nicky Henderson’s star hurdler, making his first appearance since winning the Grade One event last year. Ricci acknowledged the challenge of taking on the formidable rival:
“Constitution Hill is a monster. If he’s back to his best, he’ll be hard to beat.”
Gaelic Warrior’s Christmas Plans
Another Ricci-owned standout, Gaelic Warrior, is set to make his seasonal debut over the holidays. A winner of the Faugheen Novice Chase and Arkle last term, he is likely to contest the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on December 27. Alternatively, he could head to Kempton for the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase on the same day.
“The plan is to see him out at Christmas, either at Leopardstown or Kempton,” Ricci said. “Longer term, the Champion Chase is the goal, though I wouldn’t mind the Ryanair.”
Eye on Jonbon
Looking ahead to the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, Ricci noted the potential competition from Jonbon, Nicky Henderson’s two-time Tingle Creek winner and a full brother to Ricci’s former star Douvan.
“I’d love to win the race, whether it’s against Jonbon or anyone else. He’s related to Douvan, so when we’re not racing against him, I root for him. But Cheltenham is always the main plan until something changes.”
With festive plans shaping up and marquee races on the horizon, Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior promise to add excitement to the holiday racing calendar.