Lossiemouth cemented her status as one of the finest hurdlers in training with a comfortable victory in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Friday. The Willie Mullins-trained mare, sent off as a 2-7 favourite, crossed the line five lengths ahead of Golden Ace (11-1) with Wilful (16-1) finishing third. Ridden by Paul Townend, the grey secured her 11th Grade One success.

The County Kildare course has proven irresistible for Lossiemouth, who has now won all four of her starts there. Last month she added a fourth Champion Hurdle triumph at Cheltenham to her remarkable resume. "A brilliant season," reflected Townend, speaking to RTE. "I'm in the right camp to be on these very good horses - I'm very fortunate."

Townend's remarkable run continued across the major meetings, having guided Gaelic Warrior to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in March and I Am Maximus to Grand National triumph in April. Earlier at Punchestown, the Mullins-Townend combination struck again when King Rasko Grey (8-13 favourite) won the Champion Novice Hurdle by a head from Lord Byren.