Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1)

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD confirmed herself to be the mare her connections always believed she could be by battling back tenaciously to deny State Man a record-equalling third win in the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle.

Keen to make use of her fitness advantage over the 4/9 favourite, Jack Kennedy did his level best to test and stretch the reigning champion hurdler from the front, though the Aintree Festival heroine (sent off at 9/4) forfeited several lengths by jumping out to her right and idling.

With her advantage cut right back at the top of the straight, State Man looked poised to pounce and collect his 11th Grade 1 in the space of 12 starts. Paul Townend’s reliable partner moved up smoothly and traded at close to 1/10 in the in-running markets when leading over the last.

However, courage was not in short supply with the mare who Gordon Elliott last season said could be the best he has ever trained. Brighterdaysahead, sporting the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, was in no mood to be denied and the benefit of her recent run at Down Royal really shone through.

Kennedy punched the air as he lowered the colours of the top-class title holder by three quarters of a length.

Elliott, who raised the possibility of Brighterdaysahead tackling the Champion Hurdle in the aftermath of her comeback win at Down Royal, was more positive about her sticking to the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle after her first Grade 1 win in open company.

She entered the weekend priced between 2/1 and 5/2 for the Mares’ Hurdle, and as big as 14/1 for the Champion Hurdle, but is now between 6/4 and 5/2 for the former and ranging from 4/1 to 7/1 for the latter.

“I thought it was a good performance because she was idling in front, not doing a stroke,” said Elliott.

“She was on her own in front and will be better with a lead. We knew two miles was as short as she wanted but she had race fitness - we had to make use of that today at this trip.

“She’s a good mare. She’s having a good blow afterwards so there’s plenty of improvement in her too. The Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham probably looks the race made for her as the long-term plan but we’ll see what happens.

"More immediately, Leopardstown might be a bit sharp for her but we’ll see. I’ll speak to Michael and Eddie [O’Leary] and we’ll enjoy today.”

Kennedy added: “She had to do it the hard way. To be honest, I think she hated it out in front. She did all the donkey work and was very tough. State Man came and laid down his challenge, and she didn’t lie down to him - that was great.

“I had an idea they were going to try and keep it steady, so I just had to go and make the running on her. It didn’t suit her, but it worked out.

“She’s improving away the whole time. I think she will have learned plenty today as well and it might make her kind of grow up a bit more, having to go and do it.”

State Man was eased out to 4/1 (from 5/2) with several firms for the Champion Hurdle after this first defeat when completing a race in Ireland, while stablemate Lossiemouth, who was taken out of the Morgiana on Saturday morning due to a reported stone bruise, was trimmed to 15/8 (from 5/2) for the Champion with the Betfair Sportsbook.

Willie Mullins said: “He ran a fine race, got to the front and just needed the run. The winner is a good mare. We’ll see by the end of the season that it might be no shame to be beaten by her but we’re happy enough.

"He got a bit tight at the last but she was probably going to win anyway. She’s a good mare who is improving. We never mind being beaten by a good horse. He got to the front and she outbattled him.”

Townend added: “He ran a cracker. He came to win and race fitness probably showed from the last to the line. I’m delighted with him and he’s not been beaten by a slouch either.”

The Mullins-trained Winter Fog finished 13 lengths adrift of the leading duo to finish an admirable third, picking up €15,000 in prize money in the process, while the Oliver McKiernan-trained No Looking Back earned €7,500 for finishing fourth.