Willie Mullins has confirmed that Lossiemouth will line up in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, with final declarations for day one of the Cheltenham Festival approaching.
The meeting’s most successful trainer revealed the plan on Saturday night, prompting the race sponsors to trim her odds to 5/2 from 11/4.
Meanwhile, last year’s Turners Novices’ Hurdler The New Lion continues to head the market at 9/4.
Mullins also confirmed that Lossiemouth will sport cheekpieces for the first time.
The star, owned by Susannah Ricci and Rich Ricci, has never worn any form of headgear during her 17-race career.
Speaking to Sporting Life, Mullins said:
“Rich and I have been discussing her target and, after talking again following racing at Gowran Park, we decided that Lossiemouth will run in the Champion Hurdle.
“With the timing of the declarations, she was always going to travel to England when she has, and we’re happy to let her take her chance on Tuesday. She’ll wear cheekpieces as well.”
Lossiemouth Can Become A Millionaire With A Top-Two
Mullins will also head into the Festival with some decent Cheltenham trainer stats.
Not only has he sent out 113 winners at the meeting, he’s also had 14 winners from his last 33 (42%) in the last 14 days.
Lossiemouth’s target was one of the major talking points at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Instead of taking on Constitution Hill and State Man in Tuesday’s feature, she stayed in the Mares’ Hurdle and duly won at short odds.
In the end, neither of the two leading contenders finished the Champion Hurdle, and Golden Ace took advantage to land a dramatic renewal.
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival schedule has changed slightly this season, with the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle now staged on Thursday.
Gordon Elliott’s Wodhooh heads the betting for that Grade 1 at 4/6, although the news about Lossiemouth has seen her stablemate Jade De Grugy clipped into 100/30 from 7/2.
Based on the 2026 Champion Hurdle prize money, Lossiemouth, who has banked £908,183 in career winnings, will need a top-two finish to become a millionaire.
Champion Hurdle 2026 Date and Race Details 🗓️
📅Date: Tuesday 10th March 2026
⌚Time: 4pm
🏇Racecourse: Cheltenham
🔄Trip: 2m
💷Winning Purse: £262,078
📺 TV: ITV Racing / Racing TV
Champion Hurdle Betting Odds (4pm, March 10th)
- The New Lion 2/1
- Lossiemouth 5/2
- Brighterdaysahead 5/1
- Golden Ace 8/1
- Poniros 16/1
- Anzadam 20/1
- Tutti Quanti 20/1
- Alexei 20/1
- Workahead 80/1
Note: *Champion Hurdle betting odds are subject to change (correct 8th March 2026)
Lossiemouth Career In Numbers
- Runs: 17
- Age: 7
- Wins: 13
- Prize Money: £908,183
WATCH Lossiemouth Winning The Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2025
