Brighterdaysahead introduced herself as an actual top-notch performer when seeing off the present champion State Man to take the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
The mare, who’s skilled by Gordon Elliott and owned by Gigginstown Home Stud, had been defeated solely as soon as previous to lining up as a 9/4 probability for the Grade One below Jack Kennedy.
Willie Mullins’ ever-reliable State Man, who was bidding for his third success within the race, was the 4/9 favorite below Paul Townend and was largely thought to have solely the only real mare within the subject to beat to take the treble within the absence of Lossiemouth.
Brighterdaysahead instantly put her hand up as a contender when taking on the operating and having led the best way all through, she was joined by State Man on the run to the ultimate flight.
State Man briefly hit the entrance however she was not discouraged, nevertheless, and put her head right down to speed up once more and prevail by three quarters of a size on the road with the third-placed Winter Fog an additional 13 lengths behind.
The winner is now a 4/1 probability from 14/1 for the Champion Hurdle with Betfair, in what has been a tumultuous week for ante-post punters.
Kennedy stated: “She is hopefully [a Champion Hurdle horse], and he or she needed to do it the exhausting method there as nicely.
“To be honest, I think she hated it out in front.
“She did all of the donkey work and he or she was very powerful. State Man got here and laid down his problem, and he or she did not lie right down to him in order that was nice.
“I had an idea they were going to try and keep it steady, so I just had to go and make the running on her. It didn’t suit her, but it worked out.
“We’ll see what the lads say what the plan is. She would have had to do this anyway [to go for the Champion Hurdle] and fortunately she did.
“She’s improving away the whole time. I think she will have learned plenty as well and it might make her kind of grow up a bit more, having to go and do it.”
Elliott was happy along with his runner and echoed Kennedy’s sentiments in saying that she didn’t take pleasure in making the operating. “I know she had race fitness, but I thought it was a good performance,” he stated.
“Everything went wrong for her because she was on her own in front. She would be better with a lead.
“We knew two miles can be a bit quick for her, however she had race health and we needed to make use of it. She was idling in entrance and wasn’t doing a stroke so you would need to be completely happy.
“She is having a good blow so there is plenty of improvement in her. She’s a good mare.
“The Mares’ Hurdle might be the race made for her, however we’ll see what occurs.
“Leopardstown could be a bit sharp for her, but we’ll have a chat with Michael and Eddie (O’Leary, owners) and see what they would like to do.”
Mullins was completely happy to provide Brighterdaysahead the credit score she was due and added: “She’s a good mare and I never mind being beaten by a good horse.
“I do not assume the final hurdle made the distinction. He received to the entrance and he or she outbattled him.”
Ballyburn cruises to first victory over fences
Ballyburn strolled to an easy victory on his chasing debut when making light work of the Conway Piling Beginners Chase at Punchestown.
Mullins’ six-year-old has a near-flawless record in bumpers and over hurdles and last season was the winner of three successive Grade One contests.
The Champion Hurdle route had seemed to beckon however connections opted to ship him over fences as an alternative, a alternative that appeared to be instantly rewarded when he took up the operating below Townend.
Leaping fluently and barely seeing a rival, the gelding was utterly unchallenged when securing a 13-length victory and is the two/1 favorite from 5/2 for the Arkle with Betfair.
“He did things very well and took a good blow during the race which means there is a lot of improvement to come,” stated Mullins.
“A lot of ours are running that way and it was a worry going out. He jumped from fence to fence and I was very pleased. I think Paul was very pleased as well.
“He has a stunning low head carriage and normally horses with a head carriage like which can be excellent jumpers.
“I haven’t been looking past today but we’ll have a look at what’s available and there is a chance he could go to England.”
Stellar Story sees off stablemates in Florida Pearl
Stellar Story got here out on prime when going through two stablemates within the Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Stellar Story bounced again at Punchestown
Elliott was the coach of all three entrants for the Grade Two, with the trio all owned by Gigginstown Home Stud and run in variants of their burgundy and white silks.
Final season’s Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story was the selection of secure jockey Kennedy and the 8/15 favorite, with Search For Glory a 15/8 probability below Sam Ewing and Rainbow Path at 12/1 below Jody McGarvey.
The horses completed in that order however the victory didn’t all the time look assured for Stellar Story and he needed to maintain off a robust problem from Search For Glory to prevail by a brief head, who if he had jumped the final higher might nicely have gotten the decision.
“It was a competitive race and probably neither horse wanted to be in front. They are big, three-mile staying chasers and idle in front,” stated Elliott.
“Sam’s lad wasn’t doing much in front and then when Jack got in front he wasn’t doing much either. At one stage they were only going 23 or 24mph.
“It was an thrilling end and all credit score has to go to Michael O’Leary for operating all three runners within the race.
“Search For Glory had had a run and Stellar Story hadn’t. I’d say if Jack had another go he’d probably sit behind Sam and have one go at him. In fairness both horses had a good school around.
“I might think about Stellar Story will run over three miles at Christmas and Search For Glory will most likely be going for comparable races.”
