The ‘other’ Lossiemouth a Cheltenham Festival possible

Polly Gundry’s Lossiemouth – not to be mistaken for his Irish counterpart – could be in line for a trip to the Cheltenham Festival himself.

While not in the same class as the Willie Mullins’ French-bred mare of the same name, the British Lossiemouth is no slouch having won five races for his previous trainer Tom Lacey, including a Grade Two novice hurdle at Sandown in December 2021.

Since returning from the best part of three years off the track, the 10-year-old has run two solid races in defeat for Gundry, finishing fifth on his Newbury comeback in late November and fourth in a Pertemps qualifier at Exeter.

Gundry feels her charge still has more to give and an outing at Prestbury Park could come under consideration if conditions are deemed suitable.

“We’re thinking about Cheltenham, but we really want softer ground,” said the trainer.

“It sounds ridiculous but if we were to run on faster ground, we might be better over a shorter trip so that could bring the Coral Cup into the equation.

“His jockey, Stan Sheppard, feels the key to him is much softer ground and I am all for that, but in that case it does need it to rain again.

“He hasn’t had too many runs as I’ve messed around a bit with him after his first run, so we do want to get on and run him somewhere so we’re doing a rain dance at the moment.

“I would have thought we would get a run off 134 if we do decide to go to Cheltenham.”