Owner Rich Ricci said star mare Lossiemouth would be his 'best chance of the week' as she remains set to stay against her own sex in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham next week.
An impressive winner of the Triumph Hurdle last year, Willie Mullins' mare also made quite the impression when making a successful reappearance on Cheltenham's Trials Day in January, a performance that plenty felt would warrant a crack at the Champion Hurdle at the Festival two months down the line.
While connections earmarked the Mares' Hurdle as the "obvious target" in the aftermath of that winning return to action, the news of reigning champion Constitution Hill's subsequent withdrawal from the Champion Hurdle meant Mullins would have to "have a conversation" about the possibility of her lining up in the opening day showpiece event.
However, her owner Rich Ricci has confirmed her participation to stick to mares' company after noting the uphill task five-year-olds have faced in the past when tackling the Champion Hurdle.
"We all know that five-year-olds have a challenging record in the Champion Hurdle and we learned a lot last year with Vauban – look how he struggled and he's a fine horse," Ricci said speaking on Sky Sports Racing.
"This year we said to ourselves 'let's just take our time with the mare, she's very young' – she had a hard season last year and she didn't run until Trials Day this season.
"The plan was always to run in the Mares' Hurdle, keep one eye on the Champion in case it cut up, but the intention has always been to run in the Mares' and hopefully if she's good enough come back and have a real go at the boys next year.
"I know a lot of people would be thinking about running her in the Champion Hurdle, but if you look at her best ratings and times not one of them would have won a Champion Hurdle in the last 10 years, so I think we're doing the right thing.
"We'll keep an eye on the Champion Hurdle in case it cuts up further, but I think Plan A is to run in the Mares' Hurdle."
The Mares' Hurdle will see Mullins' multiple Grade 1-winner step up to two and a half miles for the first time on Tuesday, but her owner is keen she'll be capable of seeing out the extra yardage.
He commented: "She seems to be maturing and settling a bit, the trip is a slight concern as she's never won over it, but they all think she'll get it and on breeding, she should get it.
"She's certainly our best chance of the week, so we're looking forward to seeing her on Tuesday."
Lossiemouth, one of the perceived bankers of the week, is a 1/2 shot with Paddy Power to land the Mares' Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
