Two fans of the champion mare staked big bets on the Cheltenham Festival winner as her trainer dominated the first day of the festival at Aintree
Two big-staking punters were quids in after shelling out a five figure sum on Lossiemouth at Aintree on Thursday. The champion mare from the stable of Willie Mullins went off a 5-4 chance in a rematch with Constitution Hill, the Evens favourite who won the Champion Hurdle in 2023.
The pair had avoided each other at Cheltenham where Constitution Hill fell for the first time in his career and Lossiemouth retained her crown in the Mares’ Hurdle. Their clash became one-sided after Constitution Hill fell again, at the second last flight, leaving Lossiemouth to defeat Wodhooh in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.
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Her win proved particularly painful for bookmaker Star Sports who had to pay out a whopping £180,000.
Star Sports laid a £50,000 bet at 5-4 in the office which paid £112,500, with a £30,000 bet laid at the same odds in the betting ring, raking in £67,500.
Flynn Goward, Managing Director at Star Sports, said: “The Willie Mullins train is well and truly moving on Day One of the Aintree Grand National Festival and we’ve already been stung by two confident punters by laying £50,000 in office and a £30,000 bet on course at 5-4 on Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle.
“At those odds, the returns of the £50,000 bet were £112,500, with the £30,000 bet paying out £67,500, which, along with the other well-backed Mullins winners already, puts us firmly on the back foot heading into the rest of the Festival.”
Lossiemouth completed a 102-1 four-timer for Mullins, who became the first trainer to sweep the four Grade 1 races which opened the meeting.
Mullins said: “I was disappointed that Constitution Hill fell – I’m disappointed for Michael [Buckley], for connections, Nicky and Nico, and disappointed for racing as well. We came here with our mare in good shape, and we thought the trip would suit us on the day. We never got to find out, really.
“I was wondering whether Paul had got there too soon, and had he run his race, maybe. Nico has a great habit of looking under pressure and then finding a bit in the last furlong, so oftentimes you think you have Nico beaten and he has a little bit up his sleeve. I wondered at the time, had Paul played the card too early? But it was gifted to him and what can you do?
“I imagine she’ll go to Punchestown, if she comes out of this alright. That’s her normal plan. State Man will be going for the Champion Hurdle there and we’d probably keep them apart.”
