font : Racing Post

Brighterdaysahead came out on top in the battle of the mares when decisively beating Lossiemouth in the featured €200,000 Timeless Sash Windows Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Trained by Gordon Elliott for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Hourse Stud, the daughter of Kapgarde struck the front on the approach to the straight and asserted well before the final flight.

The 11/4 chance kept on well under Jack Kennedy to beat Lossiemouth, who tried to throw down a challenge early in the straight, by three and a quarter lengths.

The pair stretched right away from the remainder with Poniros all of 11 lengths back in third.

Elliott said, “We knew she had improved from the last day. Whether she was good enough to beat Lossiemouth we weren’t sure.

“Jack had a plan that if nobody was going to make it, we were going to make it. She’s very, very tough and she stays. It’s great to be involved in these races and to win them is extra special

“I was so nervous coming to the last, just thinking ‘I hope she jumps it’. Lossiemouth is a superstar and our one is a superstar as well. We’re lucky to have her.

“I was happy the whole way but thought going to the second last ‘here comes Lossiemouth now, we’re in trouble’ but I knew Jack seemed to be happy. I was delighted when I saw him switching to the inside and he could let her roll on.

“Michael and Anita (O’Leary) are here today. In fairness to them they are big supporters of Irish racing and big supporters of Cullentra House. I’m delighted they are here. He hasn’t been racing in a while, since Cheltenham. It’s brilliant he’s here and Anita as well as a few of the kids.”

On the winner he added, “All you have to do is look at her. She’s gorgeous, she’d take the eye out of your head.

“The plan was to go chasing this year, but Michael put his foot down. He said that half the season was gone and so right he was, he normally is right.”

When asked if she’d go now for the Champion Hurdle he said, “I hope so.”

Kennedy said, “She didn’t mind that heavy ground there today and she jumped great.

“I would have liked a lead for longer but obviously she stays. She was probably idling a bit in front.

“It was probably the best she ever jumped and maybe the slower ground helped. I was always comfortable on her today and my biggest worry was I was in front so long. She was tough.

“Hopefully she can improve again, she’ll probably have to. On that ground it was probably a tough race but there doesn’t seem to be a bother on her.”

Lossiemouth’s rider Paul Townend reported: “I was never comfortable on her. It surprised me that I actually got in with a chance at any stage. Everything was hard work today.”

Paddy Power cut Brighterdaysahead into 2/1 favourite (from 6/1) NRNB for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Lossiemouth is 10/11 for the Mares Hurdle.

Quots by Gary Carson //( by Irishracing.com)