Irish coach Gordon Elliott believes Brighterdaysahead can win the 2025 Champion Hurdle if connections permit her to run within the race.
Elliott has by no means beforehand received the two-mile hurdling showpiece on the Cheltenham Pageant and is determined so as to add his identify to the honour roll.
The six-year-old mare is second favorite within the 2025 Cheltenham odds for the Champion Hurdle, however she could not run within the race subsequent month.
Brighterdaysahead may take the simpler possibility of operating within the Mares’ Hurdle on the identical day, scuppering Elliott’s hopes of breaking his Champions Hurdle duck.
Her good efficiency within the Grade 1 Nevills Motels Hurdle at Leopardstown over the festive interval had Elliott dreaming a few tilt on the large one.
On that event, she completed 30 lengths forward of Winter Fog whereas reigning champion hurdler State Man was an extra size and 1 / 4 again in third.
Elliott believes Brighterdaysahead is the very best two-mile hurdler he has ever skilled and says he would like to have a crack on the Champion Hurdle together with her.
“She’s in nice type,” Elliot stated. “I couldn’t be any happier together with her, and he or she’ll do a bit of labor after racing this weekend.
“I simply wish to give her a canter on grass to knock the freshness out of her. Shane McCann rides her day by day and he’s very comfortable together with her. She seems to be good.
“We received’t be making a choice till the week beforehand. We don’t must make it till then. However, look, we’ll be straight out and say it.
“We received’t go away it till the eleventh hour to decide. We’ll make it the week earlier than simply to let everybody know.
“We’ll run her in no matter race we really feel is greatest for the mare. She’s the primary. Whether or not that’s the Mares’ Hurdle or the Champion Hurdle, we’ll see.”
Whereas Elliott is uncertain which route Brighterdaysahead will take at Cheltenham in March, fellow Irish coach Willie Mullins’ plans for the Champion Hurdle are crystal clear.
His State Man returned to type on his most up-to-date outing, recording a six-and-a-half-long victory within the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The eight-year-old will now bid to defend his hurdling crown at Cheltenham and show that his victory in final yr’s race was no fluke.
Nonetheless, stablemate Lossiemouth could possibly be an enormous menace if she has absolutely recovered from the crashing fall she took on the Dublin Racing Pageant.
The six-year-old appeared poised to frighten State Man however crashed out of the race on the fourth final flight after being distracted by a flock of seagulls.
Mullins has confirmed that State Man and Lossiemouth will likely be focused on the Champion Hurdle, including additional spice to the race.
Though Elliott and Mullins have set their sights on profitable the two-mile hurdling crown, high British coach Nicky Henderson has different concepts.
Steady star Structure Hill has put a sequence of niggling points behind him this season to document emphatic victories at Kempton and Cheltenham.
The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner appears to be again to his best, and Henderson is trying ahead to pitching him in opposition to Eire’s best.
“I’m frightened about all of the challengers – we’ve obtained to do our personal factor and no matter comes, comes,” Henderson stated.
“If Brighterdaysahead comes she would guarantee a very good, sound gallop – which in all probability means they’ll maintain her up now!
“We’ve simply obtained to focus on ourselves now, that’s in all probability the final we’ll see of any of the protagonists earlier than March. We’re comfortable the place we’re and let’s hope it stays that approach.”
