Brighterdaysahead produced a sensational show to once more take the scalp of State Man within the Neville Motels Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Gordon Elliott’s mare inflicted a shock defeat on the Willie Mullins-trained State Man within the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown final month, the latter’s first defeat since chasing dwelling Structure Hill within the 2023 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
State Man, who in Structure Hill’s absence claimed Champion Hurdle glory final season, was the 4/9 favorite to show the tables in a race he had landed in every of the previous two seasons, however was unable to put a glove on Brighterdaysahead in a captivating affair.
From the off the race was dominated by Elliott, with King Of Kingsfield and Brighterdaysahead rapidly opening up an enormous benefit over State Man and the rest of the sphere.
It was clear on the run to the second flight from the end that State Man would battle to bridge the hole, with 5/2 shot Brighterdaysahead taking on from her stablemate earlier than straightening up for dwelling in splendid isolation.
She was a little bit untidy on the remaining impediment, but it surely mattered not as she coasted to a hugely-impressive 30-length verdict, with 66/1 shot Winter Fog coming via to beat State Man to second.
The outcome unsurprisingly had a significant influence on the ante-post betting for the Champion Hurdle, with Coral reducing Brighterdaysahead’s odds to six/1 from 16/1 whereas additionally trimming Structure Hill on the head of the market to 4/7 from 4/6.
Nonetheless, connections of Brighterdaysahead proceed to insist the Mares’ Hurdle, for which she is the 5/4 second-favourite with the identical agency behind even-money market chief Lossiemouth, stays a critical different Pageant goal.
Michael O’Leary mentioned: “She was great, but King Of Kingsfield did the hard work as well.
“Eddie (O’Leary, brother) known as me a few years in the past and mentioned there’s a mare right here that we now have to purchase. Gordon has cherished her since he bought her dwelling so it is right down to the 2 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 efficiently defend his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March following a lacklustre show, with jockey Paul Townend saying afterwards: “I was in trouble from an early stage. He was never really travelling.”
