Brighterdaysahead produced a thrilling display to once again take the scalp of the Statesman in the Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Gordon Elliott mare inflicted a shock defeat on the Willie Mullins-trained Statesman in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month, the latter’s first defeat since chasing Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Stateman, who in Constitution Hill’s absence claimed champion glory last season, was the 4/9 favorite to turn the tables in a race in which he has been relegated in each of the past two seasons, but has been unable to lay down the gauntlet on Brighterdaysahead in the Great Affair race.
From the start, Elliott dominated the race, with King Of Kingsfield and Brighterdaysahead quickly opening up a significant advantage over State Man and the rest of the field.
It was clear during the run into the second flight from the finish that Statesman would struggle to close the gap, with the 5/2 shot Brighterdaysahead replacing her stablemate before preparing to head home in splendid isolation.
Gordon Elliott celebrated his 100th Grade 1 winner
She was a bit sloppy at the final hurdle, but it didn’t matter as she came to a very impressive 30-length reign, with the 66/1 shot Winter Fog beating State Man into second place.
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