Neville Hotels Hurdle
Grade 1, Leopardstown 14:30
€150,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
2m, Class 1  
Sunday 29th December 2024

1 Brighterdaysahead 5/2
2 Winter Fog 66/1
3 State Man 4/9F
6 ran NR: Daddy Long Legs
Distances: 30l, 1¼l, 1½l Time: 3m 45.20s (fast by 4.80s)

Brighterdaysahead produced a sensational display to once again take the scalp of State Man. Gordon Elliott’s mare had previously inflicted a surprise defeat on the Willie Mullins-trained State Man in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month, which was State Man’s first defeat since chasing home Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

State Man, who claimed Champion Hurdle glory last season in the absence of Constitution Hill, was the 4-9 favourite to turn the tables in a race he had won in each of the past two seasons. However, he was unable to lay a glove on Brighterdaysahead in a fascinating affair.

From the start, the race was dominated by Elliott’s runners, with King Of Kingsfield and Brighterdaysahead quickly opening up a significant advantage over State Man and the rest of the field. It became clear on the run to the second flight from the finish that State Man would struggle to bridge the gap. The 5-2 shot Brighterdaysahead took over from her stablemate before straightening up for home in splendid isolation. She was a little untidy at the final obstacle but coasted to a hugely impressive 30-length verdict, with 66-1 shot Winter Fog coming through to beat State Man to second.

Elliott expressed his relief and satisfaction, saying, “I was nervous watching it as I was wondering if they were going too fast. 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 commented, “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.”

Following a lacklustre display, Coral eased State Man to 10-1 from 4-1 to successfully defend his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March. Jockey Paul Townend reflected on the race, saying, “I was in trouble from an early stage. He was never really travelling.”

Free Racing Tips

Dewcember Hurdle
2m, €150,000 guaranteed
6 ran
Going: Good to Yielding, Yielding in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Brighterdaysahead 5 11-5 Gordon Elliott Sam Ewing 5/2
2
30 Winter Fog 10 11-12 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 66/1
3
State Man 7 11-12 W P Mullins Paul Townend 4/9F
4
Fils d'Oudairies 9 11-12 Gordon Elliott Jordan Gainford 200/1
5
King Of Kingsfield 6 11-12 Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan 28/1
6
40 Mystical Power 5 11-12 W P Mullins Mark Walsh 12/1
NR 1 Daddy Long Legs 5 11-12 W P Mullins NON RUNNER

%ALT_TXT%%