From memory, it was only a minor (un-named) set-back which ruled him out for a few weeks.
Exactly as I see it RRI'd be less worried about fact to file, although I still wouldn't back him. But lossiemouth is just fraught with danger and no value at 9/4 imo.
She was mooted for the champion hurdle until her poor showing at Xmas last year, and even after that until falling at leopardstown. If she runs in either of those races this season (most likely won't go to kempton again) but goes to leopardstown and beats state man let's say, there's a strong chance she goes fave for the champion hurdle, which would be a much different situation to last year and would probably go for it as townends ride imo. And even if none of that happens and you come out on the right side of mullins bingo, she then still has to beat wodhooh on a different course than she won on last year. A horse who she only bested by less than 3l at Aintree, who hacked up in the pipe over course and distance, and who is a year younger and possibly has more improvement in her than lossie. When you take all that into consideration, there are far better bets at 9/4 imo.
Fact to file as I say I'd be less worried about, as I think his chances of running in the gold cup are smaller than lossies chances of running in the champion. And also if he does run in the Ryanair, there's not much I'd be overly worried about in his likely opposition, unlike with lossie. But I don't think it matters what else Willie has for the race as I don't think jp cares about that, it'll just come down to whether Inothewayurthinkin is going well enough at the time to be his gold cup horse. I also wouldn't take fact to file not going to the King george as them thinking he doesn't stay 3m, I'd just take it as gaelic warrior not liking leopardstown so they have to find something else for him, and jp I'd say is happy enough to see how they stack up now against an older galopin.
Having said all that, you may well also be right
I hear where you're coming from and I have covered the Wodhooh (Mares)/Lossiemouth (Champion) option in a few doubles and Acca's just in case but that is not what I am expecting to happen. I am definitely expecting Lossie to carry on down the Mares Hurdle route and have a bar named after her in a couple of years where I will arrange to meet you and buy you a drink or two to say "I told you so".........Exactly as I see it RR
I wouldnt see Lossie as a Cornerstone of any bets at the moment as I believe the plan for Lossie will be CH until it is not…………and believe that if she were a certainty to go for the Mares hurdle, then why don’t they announce it at the beginning of the season…..so much of the 9/4 is related to her turning up in the Mares, rather than her chance of winning it IMO
With her still being so young at 6, then a 4th year hurdling may see a whisker of improvement which puts her bang on CH class and who has she to beat apart from State Man (9 year old may be regressing), TNL (not proven at 2m, first year in open company), Cons Hill (busted flush), William Munny (really?)….did she really underperform over 2m last year, falling in one and being beat by the best hurdler since ever!…..over a sharp track?
I have bet accordingly doubling Lossie CH with both Wodhooh and JDV for the Mares
FTF is much more likely to run in the Ryanair at the moment IMO as I don’t believe that he is an out and out stayer and that the Ryanair will always suit him better than the GC. I don’t think he had that much left in the tank after winning the BANC and whilst there may be talk about the GC during the year, with Inothewayurthinkin’s performance linked with his chances of running in the GC, then Inothewayurthinkin didn’t come right until March, constantly got beat beforehand, so if healthy, then still runs in the GC……..and as a result FTF Ryanair
I haven’t bet accordingly though with FTF, as at the moment the market is deeper in the Ryanair than the CH and have backed a couple against the fav inc Impaire ET Passé
Will be good to look back on some positions taken early doors on the main race favs at the end of the 2026 festival, particularly Lossie, in order to show what a muppet I was with Lossie now targeting the Quevega Mares record !
Was this not mentioned in one of the recent stable tours ?
I’m sure Mullins implied same route as last year, but lossie will tell them where to go
Don’t think it was definitive…….something like ‘wouldn’t be drawn on target etc and horse will tell them where to go’ blah blah blah
You could be right and as we know on this Forum, trends are good indicators of future behaviour/performance etcI’m sure Mullins implied same route as last year, but lossie will tell them where to go
As a backer for the champion hurdle (heart over head), I hope she goes there for the sport, but as most others say, Mullins is a creature of habit and will likely take the more winnable route! Can’t back her at 9/4 though
Didn't Willie say Lossiemouth would be heading to the Xmas Hurdle again?Don’t think it was definitive…….something like ‘wouldn’t be drawn on target etc and horse will tell them where to go’ blah blah blah
Morgiana may give us some clarity……or not!
From what I remember and it may of been from Rich Ricci talking about her, the suggestion was she would be given the chance to prove herself again. Last year they deemed her not up to Champion Hurdle level, it is up to her to show this year she is and I guess she will be given her chance to do so.Don’t think it was definitive…….something like ‘wouldn’t be drawn on target etc and horse will tell them where to go’ blah blah blah
Morgiana may give us some clarity……or not!
