Brighterdaysahead produced a sensational display to again take the scalp of State Man in the Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Gordon Elliott's mare inflicted a surprise defeat on the Willie Mullins-trained State Man in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month, the latter’s first defeat since chasing home Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
State Man, who in Constitution Hill’s absence claimed Champion Hurdle glory last season, was the 4-9 favourite to turn the tables in a race he had landed in each of the past two seasons, but was unable to lay a glove on Brighterdaysahead in a fascinating affair.
The Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle showdown fails to materialise as Brighterdaysahead romps home to victory at #Leopardstown with State Man a distant third. Watch Day 3 of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival live now on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer #RTEsport pic.twitter.com/3S9Ve3P6dV
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 29, 2024
From the off the race was dominated by Elliott, with King Of Kingsfield and Brighterdaysahead quickly opening up a big advantage over State Man and the remainder of the field.
It was clear on the run to the second flight from the finish that State Man would struggle to bridge the gap, with 5-2 shot Brighterdaysahead taking over from her stablemate before straightening up for home in splendid isolation.
She was a little untidy at the final obstacle, but it mattered not as she coasted to a hugely impressive 30-length verdict, with 66-1 shot Winter Fog coming through to beat State Man to second.
'She's shown us all today what she really is…a special, special mare’ – Jockey Sam Ewing on a powerful display by Brighterdaysahead to take the feature race on Day 3 of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival pic.twitter.com/fJdWQJCe2I
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 29, 2024
"We've always thought the world of her and we’re going to enjoy today, but I wanted to give a word to Jack Kennedy as she’s his mare and he’ll be back riding all these horses once he’s fit.
"Sam is doing a brilliant job, but Jack is first jockey."
The victory provided Elliott with his 100th Grade One success on a day of landmarks for the Cullentra handler, having earlier saddled his 2,000th Irish National Hunt winner courtesy of The Enabler.
On his 100th Grade One winner, he added: "It’s good to get it for the lads (Michael and Eddie O’Leary of Gigginstown House Stud) who have supported me through thick and thin.
"I have a brilliant bunch of owners and great staff, but these men have backed me the whole way."
The result unsurprisingly had a major impact on the ante-post betting for the Champion Hurdle, with Coral cutting Brighterdaysahead’s odds to 6-1 from 16-1 while also trimming Constitution Hill at the head of the market to 4-7 from 4-6.
However, connections of Brighterdaysahead continue to insist the Mares’ Hurdle, for which she is the 5-4 second-favourite with the same firm behind even-money market leader Lossiemouth, remains a serious alternative Festival target.
Michael O’Leary said: "She was great, but King Of Kingsfield did the hard work as well.
"Eddie (O’Leary, brother) called me a couple of years ago and said there is a mare here that we have to buy. Gordon has loved her since he got her home so it’s down to the two of them.
"I’d go for the Mares’ Hurdle, but we’ll have a chat about it closer to Cheltenham, but ultimately Gordon and Eddie will probably decide and I’ll be overruled! Let’s enjoy today."
Coral eased State Man to 10-1 from 4-1 to successfully defend his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March following a lacklustre display, with jockey Paul Townend saying afterwards: "I was in trouble from an early stage. He was never really travelling."
