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.
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.
“I was nervous watching it as I was wondering if they were going too fast,” said Elliott.
“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.”
Earlier in the day, The Enabler resisted the late surge of I Am Lorenzo to provide Gordon Elliott with his 2,000th Irish National Hunt winner in the Grant Fit Out Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.
A field of 10 runners went to post for the opening contest on the fourth and final day of the Christmas Festival, with Argento Boy the 8-13 favourite for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend in the colours of Galopin Des Champs.
However, he was a spent force from the home turn, whereas The Enabler – second to Argento Boy’s Champion Bumper-winning stablemate Jasmin De Vaux at Navan three weeks ago – galloped on strongly up the straight in the hands of Sam Ewing.
I Am Lorenzo was the one finishing best from the final flight and almost joined The Enabler on the line, but the judge confirmed the latter had held on by a short head.
“He was good and just got a bit close to the last. I’m not sure what his trip is as he wasn’t getting home over three miles and two miles looked too short,” said Elliott.
“Michael and Anita (O’Leary) are racing here today and it’s great to get them a winner. He looks a chaser for next year.”
On reaching his latest milestone, the trainer added: “You dream about doing something like that but it’s a testament to all the owners and our staff.
“We have a great bunch of young horses and we have been rebuilding for the last couple of years.”
Ol Man Dingle completed his hat-trick in some style in the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Irish EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle.
Despite successive October wins at Clonmel and Wexford respectively, Eoin Griffin’s charge appeared to a face a stiffer task on his return to action and was priced up accordingly at 20-1.
However, the five-year-old continued his progress with a dominant display under Ricky Doyle, scoring by four and three-quarter lengths from 11-8 favourite Taponthego.
“Brian (Caherty, owner) has a big crowd down with him from Armagh and I’m delighted for him,” said Griffin.
“We had him kind of laid out for this race. He hadn’t run for a while as we gave him a little break. You are always a little bit apprehensive if you have done enough or given him too much time off, but I couldn’t have been happier with him coming here.
“This was his mid-season target, so we’ll have to reassess things from here.”
Al Gasparo was a 20-1 winner of the Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle for trainer Gavin Cromwell and 5lb claimer Conor Stone-Walsh.
Cromwell said: “I’d say it’s important for him to be fresh. He’s good when he gets into that rhythm and gets it easy on his own. It was a good performance.
“It’s in the lap of the handicapper now but he’s a lad that will jump a fence.”
The Plusvital Flat Race brought proceedings to a close and Carrigmoornaspruce (10-1) came from last to first to run out an impressive winner under Declan Queally.
“She was unreal. It was kind of the same as Naas the last day,” said the rider.
“We just said to the boys that we would let her gallop around at the back and come home as well as we can. The lads said there is no pressure, look after her and we’re planning on coming here for the mares’ bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival.
“It worked out and she’s a very talented filly.”
