Brighterdaysahead 7-2 for Champion Hurdle after leaving State Man trailing with remarkable Grade 1 rout

It turns out Brighterdaysahead is every bit as good as Gordon Elliott kept telling us she was, and maybe even a bit better, after a relentless display of galloping in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle saw her come up the Leopardstown home straight in splendid isolation under supersub Sam Ewing, with Champion Hurdle winner State Man nowhere to be seen.

The winning distance was an astonishing 30 lengths as the Cullentra team got their tactics spot on. Danny Gilligan set ferocious fractions on King Of Kingsfield and gave his more esteemed stablemate the perfect tow into the race, with State Man never sighted at any stage. Indeed, this year's Cheltenham hero couldn't even hold on to second close home, with Winter Fog claiming that spot.

"He never went a yard, he was completely flat – that just wasn't him," was Paul Townend's immediate reaction.

Asked how early he knew it wasn't the real State Man, he replied: "I knew after landing at the back of the first. He just wasn't himself today for some reason."

Gigginstown duo King Of Kingsfield and Brighterdaysahead set out with a clear plan as they built up a sizeable lead in the early stages

Gigginstown pair King Of Kingsfield and Brighterdaysahead set out with a clear plan as they built up a sizeable lead in the early stages

As the brilliant mare charges towards the line, those behind begin to fall out of the camera shot

As the brilliant mare charges towards the line, State Man and those behind begin to fall out of the camera shot

Nobody in their right mind could argue he was. This was not the State Man we know and love, but he would probably have had to produce a career best to give Brighterdaysahead 7lb here anyway. This is a rapidly improving mare who is on her way to becoming one of the best horses Elliott has trained, male or female. And she is only five.

The trainer told us that a long time ago, and it was fitting she was the one to bring up a significant milestone in his career – 100 Grade 1 winners.

The century was celebrated in the best style possible and now the million dollar question is whether to stick with the Mares' Hurdle, for which she is 11-10 with BoyleSports, or twist and go for the Champion Hurdle, a race for which she has been slashed to 7-2 (from 20-1) by sponsors Unibet.

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Owner Michael O'Leary gave his thoughts in typically forthright fashion, saying: "I’d go for the Mares' Hurdle, but we’ll have a chat about it closer to Cheltenham. Ultimately Gordon and Eddie [O'Leary, brother] will probably decide and I’ll be overruled!"

Elliott replied: "No, we won't. We'll all give an opinion and then you'll decide!"

Sam Ewing and Gordon Elliott after Brighterdaysahead had won the Neville Hotels Hurdle with Eddie and Michael O'Leary in the backgroundCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

It is going to be a huge decision because currently she is the biggest danger to Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle. She is going chasing next season, according to Eddie O'Leary, so will get only one shot at winning a hurdle race at the festival.

Some will think she can beat a fully fit Constitution Hill getting 7lb, but most won't. But there is only one Champion Hurdle and neither Elliott nor the O'Learys have won one.

"Let's enjoy today first," urged Elliott. "She's a special mare and we've always thought the absolute world of her. I was nervous watching it, as I was wondering if they were going too fast, but it all worked out great and she was brilliant.

"It’s good to get my 100th Grade 1 winner, especially for these lads who have supported me through thick and thin."

Despite relishing one of his finest achievements as a trainer, Elliott was thinking of only one man.

"I want to give a word to Jack Kennedy," he said. "She’s his mare and he’ll be back riding all these horses once he’s fit. Sam [Ewing] is doing a brilliant job but Jack is first jockey."

Sam Ewing celebrates on Brighterdaysahead after her remarkable performance at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ewing is doing an exceptional job and looks as if he has been riding in these big races for decades, but he is still only 20. He has a wise old head on his young shoulders and he and Gilligan on King Of Kingsfield carried out a tactical masterclass.

"I'm over the moon, she's a special mare," beamed Ewing. "Danny went a good, honest gallop on King Of Kingsfield and I followed him. She jumped very well everywhere today. The way she picked up in the straight was unreal. I was waiting for State Man to be hot on my heels. I didn't look around for him, he comes fast usually and I didn't want to be looking behind me!

"I couldn't be happier with her. I think she's shown us today that there are a lot of options for her."

There are two big options in the short-term – the Mares' Hurdle or Champion Hurdle. Should she return to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Hurdle that decision might become a little easier but, right now, it's a teaser.

One thing is for certain, there are brighter days ahead wherever they may be.

Unibet Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 11)

Sponsor: 4-6 Constitution Hill, 7-2 Brighterdaysahead, 6 Lossiemouth, 8 State Man, 10 Anzadam, 16 Sir Gino, 33 bar

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