Elliott and proprietor Gigginstown Home Stud had been left with the dilemma of contesting the Shut Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, for which Brighterdaysahead was a scorching favorite, or tackling Structure Hill in the primary occasion, with the latter possibility now her confirmed goal.
The Gordon Elliott-trained mare has been crushed simply as soon as in her 10-race profession and can head to Prestbury Park after notching back-to-back Grade One victories within the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November and Leopardstown’s Neville Lodges Hurdle at Christmas.
She beat final yr’s Champion Hurdle hero State Man by three-quarters of a size on the primary event and that rival was left toiling in December, as Brighterdaysahead had him over 31 lengths away in third.
Punchestown 22-11-24 .Brighterdaysahead & Jack Kennedy (Maroon) win the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle from State Man & Paul Townend (yellow).(Picture HEALY RACING)
The coach instructed www.gordonelliottracing.com: “I can confirm that Brighterdaysahead will be going for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. After talking it over with Michael and Eddie (O’Leary), we decided that we would take up the option of the Champion Hurdle.
“Clearly it should be an enormous take a look at for the mare however she’s in nice form, her preparation has gone fantastically and she or he’s in nice order.
“We’ve never won a Champion Hurdle and it is great to have a challenger for one of National Hunt racing’s most iconic races, so it’s something we are greatly looking forward to.”
Coral clipped Brighterdaysahead to 2-1 second favorite from 9-4 for the Champion Hurdle, with Structure Hill heading the market as 8-13, having been eased barely from 1-2 following the information that Elliott’s mare will run.
Lossiemouth is subsequent greatest on the record at 4-1, though she is now the 4-6 favorite for the Mares’ Hurdle in Brighterdaysahead’s absence.
“Brighterdaysahead absolutely deserves her place in this year’s Champion Hurdle field, so credit to her connections for opting to take on the challenge. She’s the clear second favourite for the race, and while Constitution Hill remains odds-on to regain his crown, the presence of the mare has undoubtedly made his task harder,” mentioned the agency’s David Stevens.
