Irish Champion Hurdle
Grade 1, Leopardstown 15:20
€200,000 guaranteed
4yo plus,
2m, Class 1  
Sunday 2nd February 2025

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With a stellar lineup of 12 entries, the race promises to be a fascinating clash between the top hurdlers of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, alongside intriguing challengers from Britain and Ireland.

State Man’s Hat-Trick Bid

Willie Mullins’ State Man is the headline act, seeking a third consecutive victory in this prestigious contest. However, this season has not gone to plan for the seven-year-old, who has twice found himself outpaced by Gordon Elliott’s rising star Brighterdaysahead. While he retains his class and experience, State Man will need to bounce back to his best to defend his crown.

Brighterdaysahead: The Rising Star

Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead has quickly established herself as one of the most exciting hurdlers in training. The mare has proven her mettle this season with back-to-back victories over State Man, including an impressive display at Leopardstown last month. With her electric turn of foot and tactical versatility, she is a formidable opponent as she seeks her first Irish Champion Hurdle title.

Lossiemouth Adds Star Power

Willie Mullins bolsters his challenge with Lossiemouth, a top-class mare who was last seen finishing second to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Her high cruising speed and proven ability against elite competition make her a serious contender, particularly if Brighterdaysahead and State Man fail to fire.

Other Key Contenders

Anzadam (Willie Mullins)

Anzadam made a striking Irish debut at Fairyhouse, winning impressively and marking himself as a potential star. While stepping up in class, he is an intriguing runner with untapped potential.

King Of Kingsfield (Gordon Elliott)

Primarily deployed as a pacemaker for Brighterdaysahead in recent starts, King Of Kingsfield has shown enough ability to suggest he could stay competitive in his own right.

Dysart Enos (Fergal O’Brien)

The sole British-trained runner, Dysart Enos, brings solid form to the table. While she faces a tough task against the Irish powerhouses, she adds international intrigue to the lineup.

Kargese, Daddy Long Legs, Winter Fog (Willie Mullins)

These three make up the remainder of Mullins’ sextet. While they lack the star power of their stablemates, any Mullins runner must be respected on this stage.

Fils d’Oudairies (Gordon Elliott)

Elliott’s third runner could add depth to his team, though he appears to be playing a supporting role behind Brighterdaysahead.

Colonel Mustard (Lorna Fowler) & Senecia (Vincent Halley)

Both are talented but would need significant improvement to trouble the principals in this field.

Race Dynamics

The presence of pace-setters like King Of Kingsfield suggests a strongly run race, which could suit closers like Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead. State Man, with his experience at Leopardstown, will look to track the leaders and make his move late, while the younger contenders like Anzadam may need to prove their stamina under pressure.

Prediction

This year’s Irish Champion Hurdle looks like a head-to-head between Brighterdaysahead and State Man, with the former holding the edge based on recent form. Lossiemouth could provide the biggest threat to the top two, especially if her class shines through in the closing stages.

With such a high-quality field, this race is a must-watch as it sets the stage for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and shapes the narrative of the hurdling season.

BetGoodwin

Irish Champion Hurdle
2m , €200,000 guaranteed
12 entries
Going:

NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 11-1 Anzadam 5 11-12 W P Mullins
2 53-232 Colonel Mustard 10 11-12 Mrs Lorna Fowler
3 -50135 Daddy Long Legs 6 11-12 W P Mullins
4 0134-4 Fils d'Oudairies 10 11-12 Gordon Elliott
5 04-225 King Of Kingsfield 7 11-12 Gordon Elliott
6 4PU4U3 Senecia 8 11-12 Vincent Laurence Halley
7 111-23 State Man 8 11-12 W P Mullins
8 414332 Winter Fog 11 11-12 W P Mullins
9 21-111 Brighterdaysahead 6 11-5 Gordon Elliott
10 111-37 Dysart Enos 7 11-5 Fergal O'Brien
11 21221- Kargese 5 11-5 W P Mullins
12 111-12 Lossiemouth 6 11-5 W P Mullins

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