Expert Analysis

At one time a really meaningful Champion Hurdle trial, if some way from that in most recent years, though perhaps this year’s impressive winner will be allowed her chance to buck that particular trend. The penalty system, which favoured Lossiemouth, means that this cannot be rated top-drawer form (First Street and Guard Your Dreams finishing too close) but the way Lossiemouth won, with fast late splits off a fairly steady pace, suggests she is not far off that herself.

LOSSIEMOUTH (h151+7 here, 148 previously) was hugely impressive, and, despite a few reservations about the strength of the form and the time merit of her win, looks worth her chance against the best hurdlers around on the back of this. She was held up in touch travelling well, moved up on the bridle between the last 2, led at the last and quickened clear without being asked a question. It is likely to take something special to beat her in the Mares’ Hurdle, the trip of which she should stay, while she is now third-best on ratings in the Champion Hurdle (once ease of success and sex allowance are factored in), behind State Man yet still a long way behind Constitution Hill.

LOVE ENVOI (h140 here, 140+ previously) was less ring-rusty than she had been in the Fighting Fifth but ran only about as well, likely to be suited by a return to 20f but perhaps not quite on full cylinders yet in any case. She raced close up, challenged 2 out and nosed ahead briefly approaching the last, outpaced thereafter.

FIRST STREET (h146 here and previously) ran creditably again, not up to winning at this level but capable of placing given the lack of strength in depth in such races. He raced mid-field, got outpaced 2 out then stayed on to grab third near the end.

RUBAUD (h148 here and previously) had the run of things up front for a long way and ran creditably under a double penalty, joined 2 out and headed for sure approaching the last, weakening thereafter. His jumping was once again notably slick.

GUARD YOUR DREAMS (h140 here, ? previously) won this in 2021 but had not been seen since early the following year and showed a little despite bringing up the rear just about throughout, sticking on after a mistake 3 out.