Brighterdaysahead sees off champion State Man in Morgiana battle

Brighterdaysahead announced herself as a real top-notch performer when seeing off the current champion State Man to take the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

The mare, who is trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Gigginstown House Stud, had been defeated only once prior to lining up as a 9-4 chance for the Grade One under Jack Kennedy.

Willie Mullins’ ever-reliable State Man, who was bidding for this third success in the race, was the 4-9 favourite under Paul Townend and was largely thought to have only the sole mare in the field to beat to take the treble in the absence of Lossiemouth.

Brighterdaysahead immediately put her hand up as a contender when taking up the running and having led the way throughout, she was joined by State Man on the run to the final flight.

State Man briefly hit the front but she was not discouraged, however, and put her head down to accelerate again and prevail by three quarters of a length on the line with the third-placed Winter Fog a further 13 lengths behind.

The winner is now a 4-1 chance from 14-1 for the Champion Hurdle with Betfair, in what has been a tumultuous week for ante-post punters.

Kennedy said: “She is hopefully (a Champion Hurdle horse), and she had to do it the hard way there as well today.

“To be honest, I think she hated it out in front.

“She did all the donkey work and she was very tough. State Man came and laid down his challenge, and she didn’t lie down to him so 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.

“We’ll see what the lads say what the plan is. She would have had to do that today anyway (to go for the Champion Hurdle) and thankfully she did.

“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.”