After Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle masterclass, the racing world is currently divided into two camps: those bowing down to the new Queen of the Closutton, and those frantically checking their Punchestown hotel reservations.
Lossiemouth didn’t just win the Tuesday feature; she dismantled it. By reversing the Dublin Racing Festival form with Brighterdaysahead, she proved that her “lack of spark” at Leopardstown was merely a case of saving the fireworks for the Cotswolds. Now a four-time Festival winner, she’s breathing the rarified air of legends like Quevega.
The Aintree Avoidance?
While Dan Skelton and Gordon Elliott were quick to book their ferries for the Aintree Hurdle with their vanquished stars, the vibes from the Ricci camp are a bit more… refined. Rich Ricci has hinted that while Aintree was a happy hunting ground for her last year, the master of Closutton might prefer a coronation on home soil.
With Aintree looking less likely, the Mares’ Champion Hurdle at Punchestown seems the logical throne. Willie Mullins noted she’s “getting into Quevega territory,” and we all know how much that team loves the Kildare spring air. If she skips Liverpool, it’s not out of fear—it’s out of a desire for a proper Irish party.
Today’s Action: The Sunday Scramble
If Tuesday was a Michelin-starred meal, today’s racing was more of a reliable Sunday roast. At Market Rasen, the favorites generally behaved:
• Roccontier (8/13f): Ran like a horse who knew he was the only Grade 1 prospect in the zip code, clearing away in the Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle.
• The Dog Thief (11/4): Appropriately named, as he stole the Maiden Hurdle from the odds-on favorite Plains Drifter in the final 110 yards.
Tomorrow’s “Best Bets”: Monday, March 16
Based on the latest data for tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026, Timeform has highlighted several top-rated selections across the cards at Ffos Las, Plumpton, and Wolverhampton.
15:30 Ffos Las – Whiskey Yankee
• Status: Top Rated
• Insight: Currently the clear horse to beat on weight-adjusted ratings (8/13 favorite).
• 16:00 Ffos Las – Fortunate Man
• Status: THE NAP
• Insight: Despite recent disappointments in higher-grade handicaps, he is significantly better than this field and expected to bounce back.
• 17:30 Wolverhampton – Magnetude
• Status: Top Rated
• Insight: Highly expected to improve with the step up in trip after a narrow defeat to a subsequent winner last time out.
Other Key Selections
• 14:30 Ffos Las: Rest Is The Best (11/8) – Leading contender for a yard in form.
• 17:00 Ffos Las: Galatrona (4/1) – Chosen over the field based on Irish point-to-point pedigree.
• 17:15 Plumpton: Getmyfriend (7/2) – Obvious appeal on paper for a top yard making a bumper debut.
• 16:45 Plumpton: Taritino (5/2) – High Timeform rating (TFR) following a strong recent performance just 7 days ago.
Tomorrow’s Main Meetings
• Ffos Las: Jumps (Going: Good to Soft)
• Plumpton: Jumps (Going: Good to Soft)
• Wolverhampton: All-Weather (Going: Standard)
• Chantilly (FR): Flat / Polytrack
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