Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott monopolise Leopardstown Grade 1 on Sunday as State Man and Brighterdaysahead rematch confirmed

The eagerly anticipated rematch between State Man and Brighterdaysahead is on after both were declared for the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle (2.30) at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The winning trainer is guaranteed to be either Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott for an eighth successive year with the two powerhouses responsible for all seven runners.

In their first meeting in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month, the Elliott-trained Brighterdaysahead stunned hot favourite State Man with a three-quarters of a length victory.

That was the reigning champion hurdler's first defeat in Ireland since he fell on his stable debut at Leopardstown in December 2021 and ended a run of six straight Grade 1 victories since being beaten by Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion Hurdle.

Brighterdaysahead, whose only defeat came in last season's Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, had race fitness on her side that day having won a Grade 3 at Down Royal three weeks earlier.

With fitness expected to be less of a factor this time, the bookmakers believe State Man can bounce back from that defeat and bet365 make him their 8-15 favourite, ahead of Brighterdaysahead at 9-4.

State Man won this race 12 months ago and his champion trainer Mullins will also represented by Mystical Power, who was a major disappointment in the Fighting Fifth last time, Daddy Long Legs and Winter Fog. Elliott declared King Of Kingsfield and Fils D'Oudairies to complete the field.

Neville Hotels Hurdle runners and riders

Daddy Long Legs Danny Mullins
Fils D'Oudairies Jordan Gainford
King Of Kingsfield Danny Gilligan
Mystical Power Mark Walsh
State Man Paul Townend
Winter Fog Brian Hayes
Brighterdaysahead Sam Ewing

bet365: 8-15 State Man, 9-4 Brighterdaysahead, 14 Mystical Power, 25 Winter Fog, 33 Daddy Long Legs, King Of Kingsfield, 50 Fils D'Oudairies

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