"It's not going to be easy" - Elliott looking forward to Teahupoo's clash with Lossiemouth

Gordon Elliott watched Teahupoo lower the colours of odds-on favourite Impaire Et Passe to win this Grade One 12 months ago. The defending champion is currently available at an odds-on price this time around and Elliott has been pleased with Teahupoo's preparation.

"He seems in great form and I've been very happy with what he's been showing me over the last few weeks." Elliott told the press. 

"We've always had this race in mind for his comeback and the plan is to stick to the same path as last year. If it's not broke, don't fix it."

Following his victory at Fairyhouse, Teahupoo wasn't seen until the Stayer's Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Elliott's star won that Grade One convincingly, before following up in the Champion Stayers' Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

The chief opposition to Teahupoo on Sunday will be Lossiemouth. An impressive winner of the Triumph Hurdle in 2023, Willie Mullins' five-year-old was unbeaten in three starts last term, scoring in the Mares' Hurdle at both the Cheltenham Festival and Punchestown.

A tilt at the Champion Hurdle seems likely for Lossiemouth this term. However, Mullins' mare was forced to miss last week's Morgiana with a stone bruise and running in this two-and-a-half mile contest is somewhat of a back-up plan.

Gordon Elliott continued, "It's not going to be easy on Sunday, that's for sure. We're trying to give 7lb to a serious mare in Lossiemouth and that's a big ask, but we'll give it a lash and hopefully he can come out the right side of what should be a great race."

Elliott will saddle the other two runners in Sunday's main event. Beacon Edge returns to Ireland following a Grade Two win at Wetherby, with Maxxum completing the small, select field.

You can find the latest betting for Sunday's Hatton's Grace Hurdle here on our website...