December Hurdle Runners 2024: State Man & Brighterdaysahead Set For Leopardstown Clash

State Man and Brighterdaysahead are set for a pulsating rematch on Sunday 29th December, 2024 when the pair line up in the Grade 1 December Hurdle at Leopardstown. The two star hurdlers are among the 12 entries received for the 2m contest that is one of the feature events of the Christmas showpiece at the Irish track.

Reigning Champion Hurdle hero State Man had his long unbeaten run ended at Punchestown last month when a race-fit Brighterdaysahead built on a Down Royal victory with victory in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle. Gordon Elliott’s mare propelled her name into the Champion Hurdle by outbattling State Man in the closing stages, but the Willie Mullins-trained star will be confident of reversing that form at Leopardstown.

The pair are likely to dominate the betting and are two of the classiest hurdlers in training, but they could be joined by Lossiemouth, who was a facile winner over Teahupoo in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle a few weeks ago. However, Mullins may opt to save his star mare for an alternative assignment later in the season.

Mystical Power ran no sort of race when pulled up early in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, where he was soundly beaten by Sir Gino, and last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up is an eye-catching entry and adds more depth to the Mullins team.

The Elliott clan will be spearheaded by Brighterdaysahead, but Fils D’Oudairies and King Of Kingsfield are two that could take their chance here, while the likes of Winter Fog and Daddy Long Legs are another brace of Mullins runners that could run.

December Hurdle 2024 Runners