Lossiemouth delivered a spectacular riposte to Sir Gino when scampering away with the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle to send bookmakers running for cover.
Saturday’s action in England had been all about Sir Gino’s swaggering triumph in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, a performance that showed why Nicky Henderson had been so bullish about his four-year-old’s talents.
Sir Gino is giving Henderson reason to plot a Champion Hurdle campaign, regardless of what happens with Constitution Hill, and that is putting the gelding on course for a showdown with Lossiemouth, who set Fairyhouse alight on Sunday.
Willie Mullins’ mare dismantled Teahupoo, winner of the Hatton’s Grace for the past two seasons, and so emphatic was her display that her price for the Champion Hurdle was slashed across the board.
She is no bigger than 7-4 for the main race on day one of the Festival next March and it will take a good one to stop her.
Jockey Paul Townend has never had any doubts about her ability and said: ‘She does everything so well and I gave her a squeeze at the last and she just lengthened.
Jockey Paul Townend pictured celebrating after riding Lossiemouth to victory on Sunday
Lossiemouth is the favourite for the Champion Hurdle after winning the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle
‘She was so quick from one side to the other and she gives you such a lovely feel.’
Up at Carlisle, meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson and his friends saw the first dividend repaid on their £634,000 investment in Caldwell Potter when the gelding maintained Paul Nicholls’ outstanding weekend with a facile first win over fences.
Nicholls has been itching to get Caldwell Potter on track and while he was never tested, having no issue justifying prohibitive odds of 2-11, this was just what the trainer wanted to see.
‘He was a little bit novicey but had a nice run round,’ he said.
