It’s completely control from banker Lossiemouth, to allow Willie Mullins and Paul Townend to complete the hattrick of victories on Day One.
As Townend backed up a victory on Lossiemouth at the New Years meeting in Cheltenham, and the pairing makes it two festival wins in the row, after a victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle last year.
Mullins is now eye to eye with the Cheltenham Festival century, as this victory moves him onto 97 wins at the greatest show on turf.
While it’s Townend who reaches 110 victories on the season.
It's a @WillieMullinsNH & @PTownend treble!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2024
Lossiemouth makes short work of the opposition in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/EvHGKTBDgx
“There was a question about her stamina, but I to be honest never really doubted her” explained a calmed and composed Townend.
“I’m privileged to be riding these horses” round up Townend.
The Mullins yard have started a festival they were expected to dominate, by doing exactly that, winning three races out of five so far.
The owners S Ricci amassed a total of £67,524 in prize money for their victory.
The 2m4f course, was going heavy after a day of downpour in Gloucestershire.
Of the 11 racers, all started.
More to follow…