Lossiemouth and State Man clash in the Irish Champion Hurdle

One of the most anticipated clashes of the all-ticket Dublin Racing Festival will see Willie Mullins’ top mare Lossiemouth take on stable companion State Man, winner of the race for the last two years, in the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Paul Townend stays loyal to State Man, the winner of ten Grade 1 races but beaten on both outings so far this term, while Danny Mullins picks up a nice 'spare' on Lossiemouth.

Lining out against the big two are another Mullins-trained duo, Winter Fog and Daddy Long Legs with the Gordon Elliott-trained Fils D’oudairies completing the five-runner field.

There are seven runners declared for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase with Willie Mullins’ Ballyburn and his Limerick Grade 1 winner Impaire Et Passe leading the way. The champion trainer also runs Champ Kiely while Gordon Elliott has two contenders in Better Days Ahead and Croke Park. Prairie Dancer takes his chance for Joseph O'Brien while Vincent Halley has Arctic Skua.

The Mullins hand is just as strong in the 10-runner Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle. He runs Kopek Des Bordes Kaid D’authie, Redemption Day Sea Of Sands Karafon and Karniquet

Gordon Elliott runs both Bleu De Vassy and Whinney Hill Jim Bolger has Eastern Legend and the Warren Greatrex-trained Good And Clever travels over from the UK.

The eight runners for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase are headed by Joseph O'Brien’s Solness, the Willie Mullins-trained Gaelic Warrior and Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale, first, second and third respectively in the Grade 1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown in December.

The race sees the return to action of Mullins’ El Fabiolo, last year’s winner but absent since chasing home Jonbon at Sandown in April, and also features the same trainer’s Gentleman Du Mee, the 2023 winner of the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase. Henry de Bromhead has Captain Guinness and Quilixios with Senecia running here for Vincent Halley.

A total of 11 runners are declared for the Grade 2 Coolmore NH Sires Luxembourg Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race with Future Prospect, trained by Willie Mullins, the Tom Cooper-trained Amen Kate and Declan Queally’s Carrigmoornaspruce among the leading contenders.