Grade 1 winner Brighterdaysahead 'looks terrific' for hurdles return - but faces stiff task against race-fit Daddy Long Legs

Grade 1 winner Brighterdaysahead 'looks terrific' for hurdles return - but she faces stiff task against race-fit Daddy Long Legs

Gordon Elliott is set for a big weekend up north as he takes the wraps off some of his stable stars and there are few more exciting than Brighterdaysahead, who reappears in the Grade 3 Bottlegreen Hurdle.

The Cullentra team have never hid their high regard for the five-year-old mare, who rounded off an excellent first season over hurdles by destroying the boys over two and a half miles on her Grade 1 debut at Aintree in April. She ran away from stablemate Staffordshire Knot by seven and a half lengths, confirming herself to be one of the most exciting prospects in training.

Her only defeat in seven starts under rules came the previous month in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. She went off 5-6 favourite but was unable to reel in Golden Ace, who showed a sharp turn of foot off a muddling gallop.

Brighterdaysahead is a course-and-distance winner but two miles and a furlong on lively ground might prove on the sharp side against a race-fit Daddy Long Legs and she isn't well treated at the weights.

The Willie Mullins-trained Daddy Long Legs hasn't been overly consistent of late but got back on track with a stylish performance at Tipperary last time when accounting for the reopposing Smooth Tom by 16 lengths.

Mullins' five-year-old looked high class in demolishing a competitive handicap field at Punchestown in April but disappointed when fifth of eight as 2-5 favourite at Tipperary in July before finishing last of 19 in the Galway Hurdle.

He will be suited by the ground and if he reproduces his latest display Brighterdaysahead will have to be firing on all cylinders to beat him.

Elliott's other runner King Of Kingsfield will enjoy the conditions and has plenty of talent. He ran some admirable races in Grade 1 novice company last season, most notably when chasing home subsequent Cheltenham Festival winners Ballyburn and Slade Steel at Leopardstown.

Smooth Tom was well held by Daddy Long Legs at Tipperary but has since shown his wellbeing by landing the Amateur Riders Derby at the Curragh ten days ago. He is lightly raced over hurdles and should get closer to that rival.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Daddy Long Legs
He was impressive when winning at Tipperary last time and the form of that race got a boost when the second horse won a Flat race next time out. This nice ground will suit and we expect him to be right there at the finish.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Brighterdaysahead and King Of Kingsfield
We were originally going to go over fences with Brighterdaysahead but have decided to stay over hurdles this season given she's only five. She looks terrific and has strengthened up a lot over the summer. King Of Kingsfield has bundles of ability and has always worked like a proper horse. Hopefully he can make a good start to the campaign.

Andy Slattery, trainer of Smooth Tom
It was a nice win on the Flat last time and I think he'll run a very good race. There are higher-rated rivals in here but he has fitness on our side. He's better than he showed at Tipperary over hurdles and I think he can get closer to Daddy Long Legs this time.