Round two as reigning champ State Man seeks revenge over Morgiana conqueror Brighterdaysahead in fascinating Grade 1

This promises to be another fascinating duel between State Man and Brighterdaysahead after Gordon Elliott's star mare beat the prolific hurdler in the Morgiana last month for his first domestic defeat since he fell on his stable debut three years ago.

Jack Kennedy gave the winner a spectacular ride that day, dictating from the outset to ensure it became a test of stamina, which paid dividends given he was on board a mare who has won over two miles and five furlongs on heavy and had a fitness edge on State Man.

Brighterdaysahead was equally impressive as she showed a tremendous attitude to rally having been passed approaching the last by State Man. Some suggested a slightly clumsy leap at the final hurdle cost Willie Mullins' champion, but it didn't curb his momentum too much and the winner would have prevailed regardless as she was well on top at the line.

However, race fitness definitely played its part as the runner-up's effort flattened out late on, while Brighterdaysahead had a run under her belt. 

State Man shaped as if he would improve plenty for that effort and the ground will be less testing this time at Leopardstown, which will also be firmly in his favour.

Sam Ewing, substituting for the injured Kennedy, will need to employ similar tactics to utilise his mount's stamina, but even then the edge should lie with State Man, who will likely be able to mount a more sustained challenge as he approaches peak fitness.

Mystical Power was a model of consistency before producing a puzzling effort in the Fighting Fifth last time out when he was beaten a long way from home. He's hugely talented, but is best watched for the moment.

Of the others, King Of Kingsfield could nick a place. He chased home Brighterdaysahead at Down Royal and travelled quite promisingly. He also ran well over fences at Navan last month, while he will enjoy the decent ground this time.

'The stage looks set and hopefully he can deliver'

State Man still has a bit to go to match his former stablemate Sharjah's extraordinary four wins in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle, but with victory here he can equal the record of Hurricane Fly, who landed his third win in succession when fending off Jezki to complete the race hat-trick in 2014.

The dominant Irish two-mile hurdling force of recent years suffered his first domestic defeat in completed starts in the Morgiana last month when the reopposing Brighterdaysahead rallied gamely at the final flight to hand him a rare defeat. But it will take an even better effort from Gordon Elliott's mare to deny him this time given she doesn't have a race-fitness edge anymore.

Last season's Champion Hurdle hero's only defeat on home soil came at this track in December 2021, when he fell two out on his stable debut, but he's been flawless since, landing four Grade 1s over course and distance in typically straightforward fashion. 

Willie Mullins is expecting another top-level success. "I'm happy with State Man," he said. "He’s in great order and we know it's a track he likes. The stage looks to be set for him and hopefully he can deliver." 

The seven-year-old goes for an incredible 11th top-level victory here, but he has a well-capable new rival on the scene in Brighterdaysahead who could cement her place in the Champion Hurdle field if she can lower his colours again.

Sharjah: State Man's stablemate won this race four times in a rowCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

What they say 

Willie Mullins, trainer of Daddy Long Legs, Mystical Power and Winter Fog
We couldn’t find anything particularly wrong with Mystical Power after Newcastle and that run was very disappointing. Conditions will suit him here and hopefully he can get his career back on track. Daddy Long Legs ran well enough when fifth in the Morgiana, but this is going to be a very tough task for him. Winter Fog finished third in the Morgiana but is another for whom this is a tough task.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Brighterdaysahead, King Of Kingsfield and Fils D'Oudairies
Everybody knows I love Brighterdaysahead but State Man is going to be a different animal this time. It was nice to see her win the Grade 1 at Punchestown, but beating State Man again won't be easy. He has a run under his belt now and is so good around Leopardstown. We're under no illusions about the magnitude of the task facing her. That said, she seems to be in great form and has thrived since the Morgiana. You'd imagine going this way round will suit her, too, and we think she'll put up another big effort. King Of Kingsfield always worked like a proper horse, will like the ground and ran well over fences at Navan, while Fils D'Oudairies is consistent and has won plenty of races but is up against it, especially after a layoff.

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