Lossiemouth (2/7 favorite) completed the Cheltenham-Punchestown double on Friday by claiming a five-length fourth-day winner at the Co Kildare track, the Boodles Champion Hurdle.
The victory also completes a Grade 1 double for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins, the fourth winner of the day for the Closutton handler.
Queen of two miles ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก is a class of its own in the @Boodles Champion obstacle.@punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/KuTdylMNws
โ Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 1, 2026
Lossiemouth followed the leaders throughout the two-mile championship race before taking second place entering the final straight. As the crowd cheered from the packed Punchestown stands, the mare owned by Rich Ricci made her move.
She quickly pulled away from the field before impressively holding on for a five-length victory over Cheltenham Champion Hurdler Golden Ace (11/1), with Lorcan Williams in the saddle.
โShe has everything.โ Paul Townend gives us his verdict on another special Lossiemouth performance
pic.twitter.com/CWJTa9CHE5 โ Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 1, 2026
Willful, trained in England by Jonjo and AJ OโNeill, who had led or contested the lead in the early stages of the race, remained on pace for third place, eight lengths behind the runner-up.
The position Lossiemouth gives Mullins and Townend victory in Champion Punchestown Hurdle appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.