There is only a slim chance that commentators will be faced with the confusion of a Lossiemouth versus Lossiemouth clash in the bet365 Select Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.
Willie Mullins’ brilliant grey mare Lossiemouth is currently entered for the Grade Two contest alongside Polly Gundry’s bay gelding of the same name.
Mullins’ quest to retain his British champion jumps trainer title means he is more active than he would usually be across the Irish Sea and he has three further entries alongside his Lossiemouth.
The same race yielded significant prize-money when Impaire Et Passe won for the stable last season, beating Langer Dan from the yard of title race rival Dan Skelton and helping to swing the final verdict in Mullins’ favour.
Skelton also has four contenders in the mix at present as he bids to collect as much of the £80,000 prize fund as possible, but the competitiveness of the race may mean the two horses named Lossiemouth do not meet, as Mullins may wait for Punchestown and Gundry could seek an alternative for her 10-year-old.
“He could go for a much lesser race, but it’s the right trip for him at Sandown and he’s won over it before so that’s why I put him in,” Gundry said on Tuesday.
“There were less in it than were in the other race (the bet365 Handicap Hurdle), but I think it’s unlikely the two Lossiemouths will run against each other.
“I’ll probably keep an eye on the declarations, but if Willie declares three or four then I should think we wouldn’t bother.
“My Lossiemouth could run quite a different race if ridden slightly differently and that’s why I’ve been arrogant enough to put him in.
“I had a plan, but I’m not sure whether it’ll come off now, it just depends how many are declared.”