Brighterdaysahead, trained by Gordon Elliott, produced a commanding performance to defeat favourite Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival on Sunday. The win reversed the form from their previous meeting in the December Hurdle, where Lossiemouth had prevailed by a length.
Ridden by Jack Kennedy, Brighterdaysahead tracked the pace set by El Fabiolo before taking the lead turning for home. A strong jump at the last sealed a three-and-a-quarter-length victory, prompting cheers from the crowd.
The result has reshuffled the ante-post betting for next month's Cheltenham Festival. Brighterdaysahead is now joint-favourite with The New Lion for the Champion Hurdle at 5-2, while Lossiemouth was pushed out to 7-1 for the same race and cut to 11-10 for the Mares' Hurdle.
Owner Michael O'Leary confirmed the mare will head to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, stating: 'Winning was a bonus. If she's run well and jumped well on that kind of ground, then she's fit to go to the Champion Hurdle.'
Jockey Paul Townend, aboard Lossiemouth, admitted he was never comfortable. 'I was never comfortable on her. It surprised me that I actually got in with a chance at any stage,' he said.
Elsewhere on the card, Willie Mullins saddled two Grade One winners: Kaid d'Authie in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase and Majborough in the Dublin Chase. Majborough, fitted with first-time cheekpieces, powered 21 lengths clear of Marine Nationale to become the new favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 7-4.
