Brighterdaysahead earned a thumping 30-length victory over last season’s Champion Hurdle winner State Man in landing the Neville Hotels Hurdle on the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
State Man had been a 4-9 favourite to avenge his narrow defeat by the Gordon Elliott-trained mare at Punchestown last month and earn a third successive win in the big Leopardstown hurdle.
But the race turned into a no contest as 5-2 shot Brighterdaysahead followed her pacemaker stablemate King of Kingsfield over the opening mile with the Willie Mullins-trained favourite already close to a dozen lengths adrift in third spot.
Brighterdaysahead, ridden by Sam Ewing because of Jack Kennedy’s injury-enforced absence, moved into the lead just before the penultimate hurdle and, despite a slightly untidy jump at the last, went on to extend her advantage as State Man was pipped for the runner-up spot by 66-1 shot Winter Fog.
The victory gave Elliott his 100th Grade One triumph after earlier saddling his 2,000th Irish National Hunt winner.
“I was nervous watching it as I was wondering if they were going too fast,” said Elliott afterwards.
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.”
Blackmore earns first winner since return
Brighterdaysahead’s victory marks her out as an obvious contender for this season’s Champion Hurdle even though her connections are insisting that the Mares Hurdle remains a serious alternative festival target.
“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,” said Michael O’Leary.
Earlier, The Enabler’s victory in the Maiden Hurdle had earned trainer Elliott his 2,000 Irish National Hunt win.
“You dream about doing something like that but it’s a testament to all the owners and our staff,” said Elliott of the milestone.
July Flower’s victory in the Mares Hurdle secured Rachael Blackmore her first winner since returning to action two weeks ago after three months out because of a neck injury.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained won at 15-2 after registering a four-lengths win over Kala Conti.
“It is just lovely to get one again, it’s brilliant. Everyone wants to be riding winners at a festival like this and it’s great to get it done,” said Blackmore.
