Owners Gigginstown House Stud report that Brighterdaysahead is still well on course to run in the Champion Hurdle.
Their mare has a chequered history at the Cheltenham Festival. She was a beaten odds-on favourite in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle of 2024. That day, she was upset by Golden Ace, with that rival repeating the trick in last year’s Champion Hurdle.
That race should have been one that fell perfectly for Brighterdaysahead given Constitution Hill and State Man’s falls. However, she ran below par, with many suggesting Cheltenham does not suit.
Prior to that year’s race, she had won by 30 lengths in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas. While not putting up a performance of that magnitude so far this season, she did land the Irish Champion Hurdle at that track, defeating Lossiemouth.
Every season, Brighterdaysahead has demonstrated that she has top-level talent. However, her demons will have to be defeated at Prestbury Park next month to show it to the world.
“Maybe she’s not good enough at Cheltenham” – O’Leary
If the 2025 Champion Hurdle opened up in running, the 2026 edition has done so long before it even begins.
With Sir Gino, Constitution Hill and State Man all out, the opportunity is glaring for a horse to step up. On ability, Brighterdaysahead is atop that shortlist.
However, Eddie O’Leary of Gigginstown acknowledges what must be overcome for Brighterdaysahead to land a statement win.
Speaking to the Press Association via Racing TV, O’Leary said: “She wasn’t right last year and hopefully she will put up a better show this year. It’s well documented the first year she went there it was a bit of a muddling race, then last year she wasn’t right.
“Maybe she’s not good enough at Cheltenham, but we will see. She was very good last time and on a good day she is extremely good and we just hope her best is good enough.”
Even had Constitution Hill not been retired from jumps racing, the Champion Hurdle has been the plan all season. On that front, connections have never wavered.
“We were going to the Champion Hurdle regardless whether Constitution Hill was there or not and there will still be plenty of others to beat.”
Old foe Golden Ace is one of those, while The New Lion is indeed the new challenger this year. Beating them will end her Cheltenham hoodoo, as it will for trainer Gordon Elliott. The Cullentra handler is still seeking a first Champion Hurdle success.