International Hurdle Tips: Lossiemouth Back With A Bang
In a stunning Saturday of action, one of the highlights of the day comes from Prestbury Park and is the International Hurdle. Just five are set to take their chance in the Grade 2, but an appetiser for the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March is in the offing as the antepost favourite and third favourite collide. Billy Grimshaw has made his selection and makes the case here...
Love Envoi was my antepost pick in the aftermath of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival to go one better in 2024 and win the Mares' Hurdle, with her double figure odds at the time looking insulting on the back of a potential career best in chasing home wonder-mare Honeysuckle in that de Bromhead raider's swansong. The Harry Fry charge has often improved as the winter fades away and spring approaches, however I cannot deny that my confidence in her has diminished somewhat after her flop in the Fighting Fifth.
She was sent off 6/4 second favourite that day, but put in one of her poorest jumping performances to be brushed aside by the old rogue Not So Sleepy. The race was a tactical affair with only four runners after Constitution Hill and Shishkin were withdrawn on account of the ground, however, in another small field race I would worry about backing her. She seems to me a mare who is desperate for a strong pace to aim at, while the favourite here can do things anyway she likes.
The favourite is of course 2023 Triumph Hurdle heroine LOSSIEMOUTH, who has not been seen since backing up that wonderful win at the Festival of last year with Punchestown glory. Perhaps for some this would set alarm bells ringing, but she is a Closutton resident and the Mullins team have been at pains to point out this has always been the plan for both Lossiemouth and Gala Marceau - who heads to Doncaster on Saturday.
Mullins is trialling a method which I think will prove fruitful for his high class five year olds in their first season in open company. Throughout racing history we have seen the struggle Triumph winners or placed horses have in stepping up to open company at just five, so the master trainer has decided to put his prospects away for the first half of the season and build them up to start fast for the spring festivals. This could well be a trend setting move and I think Lossiemouth is rock solid to reappear with another victory at Cheltenham here.
#AD 18+ New Customer offer - Use promo code YSKAST. Place a min £5 bet on the sportsbook at odds of min EVS (2.0) and get £30 in free bets. Free bet rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Debit Cards & Apple Pay will qualify for this offer. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly
Cheltenham Tips
If you're on the hunt for more Cheltenham Tips for Trials Day, head to our Cheltenham Tips homepage...
Her win in the Triumph when favourite was one of the smoothest we have seen in some time, with her price never drifting in running and Paul Townend in the plate never looking anything other than serenely calm on the back of the gorgeous grey. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Love Envoi looks the sort who needs a strong pace and perhaps she will get just that with Rubaud confirmed for this race. He only knows one way of going and that is hell for leather from the front, but Harry Cobden will be mindful that if he goes too hard he will blunt his own chance and enhance the two mares' chances.
Lossiemouth I would imagine will sit a length or so off Rubaud and while a few exuberant jumps are to be expected for a young horse off such a long break, who will undoubtedly be fresh, I'd imagine she will take it up from Rubaud as things start to heat up. We have seen how strong she is up the famous Cheltenham hill and while Love Envoi if back to peak form will undoubtedly mount a challenge, I'd be doubtful she will have the speed to peg the favourite back.
First Street was a horse I was very keen on heading into last season but calling him a disappointment would be an understatement. The Seven Barrows charge does have talent but has not shown it in full for over a year now, while Guard Your Dreams is more consistent but looks to have a tough task on his hands here to give the two mares seven pounds considering how much better their form seems to be.
Looking ahead to the Festival, I would assume in the aftermath of this race Lossiemouth will shorten after a win and Love Envoi will drift, however I am not sure that would be the correct course of action from the Betting Sites. Love Envoi will be better suited to the 2m5f test of the Mares' Hurdle in March, and will enjoy a bigger field more, while even if Lossiemouth wins here her stamina will not be assured. Providing the race pans out as I think it will and the market moves follow the expected pattern, I could put no one off an each-way play on Love Envoi to reverse the form come March.
#AD 18+ New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. 18+ gambleaware.org