WILLIE Mullins recorded a clean sweep of the final two Grade 1s of the Punchestown Festival last year, and layers expect the all-conquering team to do the same this time around.

The champion trainer of Britain and Ireland has won eight of the last 10 runnings of the Coolmore N.H. Sires Bolshoi Ballet Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle (3.42), and Lossiemouth ought to be pretty unstoppable if returning in the same sort of form that saw her hose up in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Only five go to post today and, if the market leader fails to fire, Mullins still has top-level winners Ashroe Diamond and Gala Marceau waiting in the wings to pounce.

Speaking from Punchestown this week, Mullins said: “Lossiemouth is in good order. She comes here to Punchestown in good form. I’m hoping that she will run to her rating [of 155] and hopefully that will be enough. It looks like a nice opportunity for her.”

Juvenile strength

Lossiemouth captured the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (4.50) 12 months ago - also Mullins’ eighth win in the last 10 runnings of this race - and Kargese sets the standard for Closutton this time.

Accompanied by stablemates Storm Heart, Bunting, Highwind, Miss Manzor and Batman Girac, the Kenny Alexander-owned favourite is due a change of luck after being narrowly denied in second behind Majborough in the Triumph Hurdle and Sir Gino in the Anniversary Hurdle the last twice.

Bottler’secret leads the charge from outside the Mullins ranks, having impressed when winning at Fairyhouse last month on softer ground than he is likely to face today.