JACK Kennedy has given a big vote of confidence to Brighterdaysahead ahead of an expected decision in the coming days on the mare’s Cheltenham target.

The mare’s owner Michael O’Leary will talk to trainer Gordon Elliott this weekend about whether the horse runs in the Champion Hurdle or the Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day of the Festival.

Kennedy, the reigning champion jump jockey, was yesterday cleared to return to race-riding following a three-month absence due to injury. He told The Irish Field he would be more than happy to ride Brighterdaysahead in either race at Cheltenham but that the Champion Hurdle was his preference.

“I’d love to ride her in the Champion Hurdle, if that’s the decision taken,” he said.

“I rode Irish Point to finish second to State Man in the race last year but Brighterdaysahead would have a better chance. She is very slick over her hurdles, similar to Apple’s Jade in that respect though different in other ways. I haven’t sat on her since we won the Morgiana Hurdle but I know that Gordon, [work rider] Shane McCann and [groom] Sinead O’Brien are all very happy with her.”

The betting markets suggest the Champion Hurdle is seen as the more likely target for the mare, who won the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown by a remarkable 30 lengths at Christmas.

On Betfair, Brighterdaysahead is the 7/2 second favourite behind Constitution Hill for the championship event and more than 5/1 for the Mares’ Hurdle.

Ryan McCue, odds compiler for Flutter, said: “Brighterdaysahead would be a 1/2 shot if she ran in the Mares’ Hurdle, so the fact that she is available at 5/1 for that race on the exchange, just a week ahead of the Festival, tells you all you need to know.

“I think she will run in the Champion Hurdle and I give her a good chance. The big thing is that she jumps like a Champion Hurdler, unlike the mare Laurina who was just 5/2 for the race in 2019 but she jumped too high and only finished fourth behind Espoir D’Allen.

“Constitution Hill is not getting any better and he might be found out trying to give 7lb to both Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth.”

A further clue to the possible participation of Brighterdaysahead in the Champion Hurdle is the fact that stable companion and pacemaker King Of Kingsfield has been left in the race.

Irish NH handicapper Mark Bird is not quite as positive about the chances of Brighterdaysahead in the Champion Hurdle.

“Constitution Hill is rated 175 in Britain and Brighterdaysahead is 163 at home. Even getting the 7lb allowance, she has 5lb to find, which is roughly six lengths.