Trust Lossiemouth to confirm Christmas form with Brighterdaysahead and bag a 10th Grade 1 prize in the Timeless Sash Windows Irish Champion Hurdle in Leopardstown on Sunday.
The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old is bidding to become the fifth mare to win the Irish Champion, a race in which she fell last year, leaving State Man to triumph.
Winner of back-to-back Close Brothers Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham, Lossiemouth appears equally effective at two and two and a half miles.
She bounced back from her fall here 12 months ago to triumph impressively at Cheltenham and followed-up in the Aintree Hurdle, beating Wodhooh.
This season, she made all to justify 1/5 favouritism in the Morgiana at Punchestown in November before landing the December Hurdle at Leopardstown five weeks ago.
On that occasion, her stable-companion Anzadam took off with Patrick Mullins in the back-straight and led the field until approaching the final flight.
Lossiemouth edged ahead and, up the run-in, she was always holding Brighterdaysahead, with a length separating them at the line.
Gordon Elliott expects improvement from Brighterdaysahead, a belief which is justified as she was making her belated seasonal bow that day.
But the Cullentra mare hadn't really sparkled until her massive performance in the Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown's 2024 Christmas meeting.
She finished fourth to Golden Ace in the Champion at Cheltenham and had to settle for third behind Jade de Grugy in the Grade 1 mares at Punchestown.
Tactics will be crucial in this fascinating rematch between the two mares. And, in the belief that the grey is more versatile in this department, I expect her to give Willie Mullins another win in this famous race.
Both Caheldale Lad and free-goer Anzadam are held on Christmas form while El Fabiolo, successful when reverting to hurdles at Punchestown on New Year's Day is another interesting contender.
Meanwhile, reigning two-mile champion Marine Nationale is a hesitant choice for the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase, although I have reservations about his ability to handle very testing conditions
He was unlucky when getting within a half-length of course specialist Solness here at Christmas, having also finished second to Joseph O'Brien's charge in this event last year.
But the Barry Connell-trained gelding had Solness behind when scoring at Cheltenham and Punchestown last spring.
Significantly, Joseph O'Brien is trying a visor on Solness while the classy but enigmatic Majborough, third in the race at Christmas, and ageing dual champion Energumene will both wear first-time cheekpieces.
Earlier, Final Demand, whose only defeat came in the turners at Cheltenham and who was a smooth winner of the Grade 1 Faugheen at Limerick, shouldn't be opposed in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase.
Peter O'Hehir's tips for Leopardstown on Sunday
12.40. Adrienne
1.10. Final Demand (Nap)
1.40. Ballyfad
2.10. Marine Nationale
2.45. Buachaiilbocht
3.20. Lossiemouth
3.52. Bunting
4.27. Celestial Tune
Next Best
12.40. Shoda
1.10. Kaid D’authie
1.40. Talk The Talk
2.10. Solness
2.45. Kim Roque
3.20. Brighterdaysahead
3.52. I Started A Joke
4.27. Wonderful Everyday
Double: Final Demand and Lossiemouth.
O’Hehir’s Longshot : Waterford Whisper (2.45.)
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