Brighterdazedhead announced himself as a genuine top performer when defeating reigning champion State Man for the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
The mare, who is trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Gigginstown House Stud, had been beaten only once before lining up as a 9/4 chance for the Grade One under Jack Kennedy.
Willie Mullins’s confident States Man, who was bidding for his third success in the race, was the 4/9 favorite under Paul Townend and was largely believed to be the only mare in the field to be beaten to take the treble. Could have done. Lossiemouth’s absence.
Brighterdazehead immediately put his hand up as a contender when starting the race and led all the way, with State Man joining him in the final flight.
States Man briefly hit the front, but was not discouraged, and got his head down to accelerate again and finished 13 lengths behind Winter Fog in third by three quarters of a length over the line. Achieved victory.
The winner now has odds from 14/1 to 4/1 for the Champion Hurdle with Betfair in what has been a tumultuous week for ante-post bookmakers.
Kennedy said: “He’s hopeful [a Champion Hurdle horse]And he had to do it the hard way there too.
“To be honest, I think he hated the guy.
“She did all the donkey work and she was very tough. The state man came and did his challenge, and she didn’t lie down to him, so it was great.
“I had an idea that they would try to keep it steady, so I would just have to go over to him and run. He didn’t like it, but it worked.
“We’ll see what the boys say, what the plan is. He’ll have to do it anyway.” [to go for the Champion Hurdle] And thankfully he did.
“He’s improving all the time. I think he’s learned a lot too and maybe he’ll have to go out and grow a little bit more.”
Elliott was pleased with his runner and echoed Kennedy’s sentiments, saying that he did not enjoy running. He said, “I know he had race fitness, but I thought it was a good performance.”
“Everything went wrong for her because she was in the lead alone. She would have been better off with a lead.”
“We knew two miles would be a bit short for her, but she had the race fitness and we had to use that. She stood in front and wasn’t stroking, so you have to be happy.
“She’s been getting a good shock so she’s improved a lot. She’s a good mare.”
“The Mars Hurdle is probably the race made for him, but we’ll see what happens.
“Leopardstown might be a bit fast for that, but we’ll have a chat with Michael and Eddie (O’Leary, owner) and see what they want to do.”
Mullins was happy to give BrighterdaysAhead the credit she deserved and said: “She’s a good mare and I don’t mind being beaten by a good horse.
“I don’t think the last hurdle made any difference. He went ahead and overcame him.”
Ballyburn wins first win over fans
Making light work of the Conway Piling Beginners Chase at Punchestown, Ballyburn took an easy victory on his chasing debut.
Six-year-old Mullins has an almost flawless record in bumper and hurdle racing and was the winner of three consecutive Grade One competitions last season.
Champion Hurdle Root had wanted to point, but connections opted to send him over the fence, a choice which was to be immediately rewarded when racing under Townend.
Jumping fluently and barely noticing the opponent, the gelding went completely unchallenged when taking a 13-length victory and is 5/2 to 2/1 favorite for Arkle with Betfair.
“He did things very well and had a good stroke during the race, which means there’s still a lot of improvement to be made,” Mullins said.
“A lot of our guys have been racing like that and going out was a worry. He jumped from fence to fence and I was very happy. I think Paul was very happy too.
“They have a beautiful low head carriage and usually horses with that kind of head carriage are very good jumpers.
“I’m not looking at the past today, but we’ll see what’s available and there’s a possibility he could go to England.”
Stellar Story bids farewell to stablemates at Florida Pearl
Stellar Story came out on top when facing two companions in the Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Stellar Story returns to Punchestown
Elliott was the trainer of all three entrants for the grade two, all three were owned by the Gigginstown House Stud and ran in their burgundy and white silk variants.
Last season’s Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story was stable jockey Kennedy’s choice and the 8/15 favourite, with Search For Glory a 15/8 chance under Sam Ewing and Rainbow Trail a 12/1 chance under Jody McGarvey.
The horses finished in the same order, but victory did not always look assured for Stellar Story and she faced a strong challenge from Search For Glory to win by a short head, perhaps if she had jumped better last time out. He would have won. Decision.
Elliott said, “It was a competitive race and probably neither horse wanted to be in front. They are big, chasing for three miles and inactive in front.”
“Sam’s guy wasn’t doing much in front and then when Jack came in he wasn’t doing much either. At one point they were only going 23 or 24 miles an hour.
“It was an exciting finish and full credit to Michael O’Leary for running all three runners in the race.
“Search for Glory had run and Stellar Story had not. I would say that if Jack had to try again he would probably sit behind Sam and have a go at him. In fairness both horses had a good school.
“I think Stellar Story will be raced over three miles at Christmas and Search For Glory will probably be raced over a similar race.”
