Boodles Champion Hurdle
Grade 1, Punchestown 18:40 €300,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
Tweet Friday 1st May 2026

1 Lossiemouth 2/7F
2 Golden Ace 11/1
3 Wilful 16/1
7 ran Distances: 5l, 8l, 2½l
Time: 3m 57.00s (slow by 4.20s)

🩷 Queen of the two-milers 💚

𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 is a class apart in the @Boodles Champion Hurdle.@punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/KuTdylMNws

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 1, 2026

Willie Mullins once again held sway on the penultimate day of the Punchestown Festival, but it was Lossiemouth who provided the headline act with a performance of complete authority here.

Having at last been afforded her opportunity in the Cheltenham equivalent earlier in the season – where she delivered a commanding success – the outstanding mare followed up in style, extending Mullins’ remarkable run in this race to four consecutive victories following State Man’s recent hat-trick.

Sent off the 2/7 favourite, Lossiemouth was always travelling with purpose under Paul Townend, who elected to keep her wide of her principal rivals, Golden Ace and Wilful, ensuring a clear passage throughout.

As the field approached the final flight, the race was swiftly settled. Townend asked his mount to quicken and she responded instantly, surging clear to record a decisive five-length success, with Golden Ace once again proving a gallant runner-up.

Townend said: “She was very dominant again, when we turned out of the back straight she started running away with me.

“I thought we were going a good gallop but she was always dominant.

“The cheekpieces seem to have made a real difference to her but to be fair she wasn’t too bad without them was she! She’s a very good mare.

“It’s hard to believe she’s still only seven, she seems to have been around forever and hopefully we’ve got her for a few more years yet.

“State Man has been a great servant but imagine how lucky we are to have her to step into his shoes.”

Owner Rich Ricci said: “It’s all down to the mare, Willie and the whole team, brilliant.

“It’s a dream season, you dream of these things, but I can tell you living it it’s so hard as you get so nervous.

“It’s an amazing season, we’ve had some lovely horses in the past but this one is something special and I’m very appreciative.

“Fair play to the second, Golden Ace is a fantastic mare and she ran a great race. They are lovely people as well.

“She’s incredible, she’s a lovely, lovely mare. Hopefully we’re back at Cheltenham next year and maybe here again.”

Punchestown Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
€300,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Yielding

PAST RESULTS

* Run at Leopardstown