IRELAND’S final Grade 1 of 2025 certainly whetted the appetite for what’s to come in the new year, as the metronomically consistent Lossiemouth notched her ninth Grade 1 win in the December Hurdle - though runner-up Brighterdaysahead fired a definite warning shot of her own with a view to future rematches in the spring.

Two elite hurdling mares came to the fore in the two-mile feature on day four of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, and there was only a length to separate the pair on their first career clash. Lossiemouth made the most of her race fitness and sharpness to edge the verdict for Paul Townend, Willie Mullins and Susannah Ricci, though Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud would have come away with reasons for encouragement with their star mare, given her preparation hadn’t been seamless.