Brighterdaysahead Triumphs by 30 Lengths in Neville Hotels Hurdle

Brighterdaysahead dominated the Neville Hotels Hurdle on the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, winning by an impressive 30 lengths over last season’s Champion Hurdle winner, State Man. The Willie Mullins-trained State Man, the 4-9 favorite had aimed to avenge his recent defeat by the Gordon Elliott-trained mare at Punchestown and secure a third consecutive Leopardstown Hurdle victory.

However, the race turned into a one-sided affair as 5-2 shot Brighterdaysahead, ridden by Sam Ewing in place of the injured Jack Kennedy, followed her pacemaker stablemate King of Kingsfield through the first mile while State Man trailed by a significant margin. Brighterdaysahead moved into the lead just before the penultimate hurdle and despite a slightly awkward jump at the last, surged ahead to extend her advantage.

State Man lost second place to 66-1 shot Winter Fog. Elliott celebrated his 100th Grade One win which followed his milestone of securing his 2,000th Irish National Hunt victory earlier in the day. “I was nervous watching it,” Elliott admitted. “It’s great to get it for the lads who have supported me through thick and thin,” he added, referring to Michael and Eddie O’Leary of Gigginstown House Stud.

Brighterdaysahead’s victory places her as a serious contender for the Champion Hurdle, although her connections still consider the Mares Hurdle a possible alternative. Michael O’Leary joked, “Gordon and Eddie will probably decide, and I’ll be overruled!” In other highlights, The Enabler’s victory in the Maiden Hurdle marked Elliott’s 2,000th Irish National Hunt win while Rachael Blackmore returned to winning form after a neck injury, guiding July Flower to victory in the Mares Hurdle.