LO & BEHOLD

Townend hails mighty mare after classy Hurdle triumph

- BY ALAN MAGEE

LOSSIEMOUTH repelled the strong challenge of the returning Brighterdaysahead to claim top honours in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday.

The Willie Mullins-trained Lossiemouth was a dominant winner of last month's Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on her seasonal debut and was the 4-6 favourite to follow up and claim a ninth Grade One victory in the hands of Paul Townend.

Brighterdaysahead won this race by 30 lengths 12 months ago and with a planned novice chase campaign aborted after an autumn setback delayed her return, she was a 5-2 shot to successfully defend her crown for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy - and the two star mares ultimately came to the fore.