Lossiemouth, Brighterdaysahead to renew rivalry as Irish Champion Hurdle entries revealed

Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead will renew their rivalry in the Irish Champion Hurdle with the pair two of eight entries after the first forfeit stage.

The Willie Mullins representative is narrowly preferred in the ante-post market at 11/8 after getting the better of Brighterdaysahead in the December Hurdle at Christmas.

Only a length separated the pair in the finish and this highly anticipated rematch is for good reason a leading headline as the Dublin Racing Festival inches closer.

Lossiemouth is on her second trial to prove she has what it takes to be a Champion Hurdle mare and winning this race should cement her place in the field come March.

After disappointing in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and falling in the 2025 renewal here, the seven-year-old hasn’t missed a beat in her bid to show the world she can dine at the top table of two-milers.

The daughter of Great Pretender did what was expected in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, coming home alone by 19 lengths and there’s reason to believe she can take another step forward from her good showing last month.

The Mullins yard performed well below expectation across the festive period, failing to pick up a single maiden hurdle victory and coming away with 16 winners from 111 runners in December.

That’s a 14% strike rate, Closutton’s weakest over the last decade. The ground was on the quicker side at Leopardstown too and Lossiemouth is much more at home on an easier surface.

She will enjoy that in abundance this weekend with 58mm of rain since Monday, leaving the hurdles track soft to heavy and as stamina comes to the fore in an energy sapping environment, the case for the nine-time Grade 1 winner is almost airtight.

This is her opportunity to book a ticket to the Cheltenham Festival’s Tuesday feature and it’d be no surprise should she oblige in fine style.

Mullins’ strike rate is 31.52% so far in the month of January with 29 winners and 24 places from 92 runners. Things are on the up for the Carlow handler.

Lossiemouth wins a NINTH grade 1 🤯

Brighterdaysahead just CANNOT catch in the December Hurdle 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Es7yAyLzsc

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 29, 2025

Can Brighterdaysahead improve past Lossiemouth?

Brighterdaysahead made her seasonal reappearance in the December Hurdle and it was a commendable performance to get within a length of her race-fit rival.

Gordon Elliott is expecting her to improve for that effort and one could argue it tilts the scale in her favour, especially considering he mentioned she stood in her box for three weeks in November while recovering from a small setback.

Elliott’s horses were running blinders left, right and centre at the time as he revelled in an incredible hot streak. Cullentra neared an all-time high, sending out 39 winners and 28 places from 159 outings in December – a 24.53% strike rate.

Compare that to how things are going in 2026 so far, Christmas is a distant memory. From 102 runners the yard has tallied just nine winners, an 8.82% strike rate and it’s not what Elliott wants to see going into one of the biggest weekends of the season.

A big factor in the case for Brighterdaysahead will be the newfound freedom awarded to Jack Kennedy. Reluctant to make the running on her first start of the campaign, where she is certainly seen to best effect, we can expect a very aggressive ride on this occasion.

Like Lossiemouth she is one that stays very well but her impressive cruising speed could be an edge, though we can’t anticipate a blistering gallop that is quite as fierce as it was when she made a mockery of the December Hurdle field in 2024, which left a mark for the rest of that year.

Brighterdaysahead seems to retain every ounce of ability despite some unfortunate hitches along the way and unlike Lossiemouth, she has beaten a reigning Champion Hurdler over two miles – twice.

Anzadam, El Fabiolo and Ballyburn remain in contention for Closutton

Going into the new season, Anzadam was touted as the next big thing but he’s failed to hit the ground running in two starts so far.

With a forgiving heart it was easy to look over a disappointing finishing effort when runner-up to Golden Ace in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle with reports of a turbulent preparation.

He’s a tricky horse to keep sound, plagued with issues – missing the second half of last season with injury – and it doesn’t sound like the team are able work him too hard at home.

Clearly possessing a huge amount of talent, it was discouraging to see him run away with Patrick Mullins in the December Hurdle, pulling his way to the front before four out and ending any chance he had there and then.

If he can be settled with the lid on for as long as possible, he could have a part to play but looks a risky proposition. A stronger pace on softer ground would theoretically be up his street.

The son of Authorized has the potential to be competitive but whether he’s able to show it is anyone’s guess with a lot of maturing still to be done.

El Fabiolo made a pleasing return to action at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve but he’s been noted as an Aintree Hurdle contender and this division is likely in the back of their minds.

A more realistic option for the former Arkle winner at this stage of his career could be the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park next month.

The enigma that is Ballyburn has been afforded the option of this race where he could drop back to two miles for the first time since a resounding defeat to Sir Gino at Kempton in December 2024.

He looked a more troubled soul than ever when taking a huge step backwards in the Christmas Hurdle, his trademark low head carriage on display again in the manner of a progressive disease that continues to worsen.

He is a free-going type and doesn’t relax behind the bridle so coming back in trip is the logical next step but he is another that will probably target the Aintree Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh mentioned he didn’t think Ballyburn looked a happy horse at Christmas and his issues may lie beneath the surface.

Poniros, Casheldale Lad and Nemean Lion stand ground

Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros could reappear here, ‘fine and working well’ according to Tony Bloom’s racing manager Sean Graham.

Five-year-olds tend to struggle in this division but his formline with Lulamba has worked out well. He has a long career ahead of him and this is probably just a stepping stone.

Casheldale Lad continues to improve with every run, third in the December Hurdle but he was fortunate to place with Anzadam weakening in the final strides.

He’s well worth his place in top-level company though, also putting in a massive shift before falling in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and at the age of six he should have a lot more to give.

Nemean Lion is very unlikely to turn up after his second to The New Lion in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham last weekend.