SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

FOR the 10th time in 12 runnings since its upgrade to Grade 1 status, Willie Mullins again had the answer to the SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle as Jade De Grugy took full advantage of Brighterdaysahead disappointing on the final day of the season.

In some ways, this race partly encapsulated the type of week it was for the top two trainers in the country; Willie Mullins’ representatives finishing out strongly (Gala Marceau staying on for second), while a largely challenging spring continued for Gordon Elliott.

Britain and Ireland’s champion trainer left Lossiemouth at home and still came out on top in the €125,000 contest, with Paul Townend enjoying a comfortable spin around on his way to a six-and-a-half-length success. The market got things very right, with Jade De Grugy returning the even-money favourite.

Brighterdaysahead (easy to back at 6/4) jumped well on the whole and travelled into the business end of the race with her chance, but her finishing effort was lacking, beaten a total of nine lengths on what is expected to be her final start before a chasing campaign.

Speaking after providing a one-two for owner Kenny Alexander, Mullins said: “She’s been improving all year. Nicer ground was a big help and tactically Paul was brilliant. Brighterdaysahead probably just had a very hard race at Christmas and she never really recovered from it. We’re delighted to be able to win a Grade 1 with a filly like this.

“I’d say we’ll probably train her for the Mares’ Hurdle next year. She could jump a fence but it wouldn’t be what we’d be looking forward to now at this stage; we’d rather keep her hurdling.”

Townend added: “She stays well but at least I was able to pull the trigger from the front end when I wanted to. She jumped great, she’s a dinger. She has plenty of size about her too - if you wanted, she’ll jump a fence no bother.”

Jade De Grugy was cut to 4/1 second-favourite (from 8/1) for next year’s Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, while Brighterdaysahead is priced between 4/1 and 6/1 for the 2026 Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.