Brighterdaysahead Dominates Neville Hotels Hurdle with 30-Length Victory

Brighterdaysahead delivered an emphatic 30-length triumph over last season’s Champion Hurdle winner State Man in the Neville Hotels Hurdle, capping off the Leopardstown Christmas Festival in spectacular fashion.

Despite State Man entering the race as the 4-9 favorite, hopes of redemption after his narrow defeat to Brighterdaysahead at Punchestown last month were quickly dashed. The Gordon Elliott-trained mare, priced at 5-2, was unstoppable as she stormed to victory, leaving her rivals far behind.

Ridden by Sam Ewing in Jack Kennedy’s absence, Brighterdaysahead followed her pacemaker, King of Kingsfield, through the opening mile. Meanwhile, the Willie Mullins-trained State Man struggled to keep pace, falling nearly a dozen lengths behind in third place early on.

Brighterdaysahead seized the lead just before the penultimate hurdle and, despite a slight mistake at the last, extended her dominance to secure the win. The upset was compounded as 66-1 outsider Winter Fog snatched second place, relegating State Man to a disappointing third.

The victory marked a significant milestone for trainer Gordon Elliott, notching his 100th Grade One win shortly after celebrating his 2,000th Irish National Hunt winner earlier in the day.

Reflecting on the achievement, Elliott said, “I was nervous watching it as I was wondering if they were going too fast. 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.”

Champion Hurdle or Mares Hurdle?
Brighterdaysahead’s dominant performance solidifies her status as a serious contender for this season’s Champion Hurdle. However, connections hinted that the Mares Hurdle remains a viable alternative for the Cheltenham Festival.

“I’d go for the Mares Hurdle, but we’ll have a chat about it closer to Cheltenham. Ultimately, Gordon and Eddie will probably decide, and I’ll be overruled! Let’s enjoy today,” joked Michael O’Leary.

Blackmore Returns with a Victory
Elsewhere, jockey Rachael Blackmore earned her first win since returning from a three-month injury layoff. Riding July Flower in the Mares Hurdle, Blackmore guided the 15-2 shot to a four-length victory over Kala Conti, bringing joy to the Henry de Bromhead yard.

“It is just lovely to get one again, it’s brilliant,” Blackmore said. “Everyone wants to be riding winners at a festival like this, and it’s great to get it done.”

The festival also saw Elliott reach his 2,000th Irish National Hunt win with The Enabler’s victory in the Maiden Hurdle. Elliott expressed his gratitude, saying, “You dream about doing something like that, but it’s a testament to all the owners and our staff.”

The Leopardstown Christmas Festival concluded with outstanding performances, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.