Brighterdaysahead got the better of Lossiemouth in their Leopardstown rematch to win the Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday.
It was a reverse from their meeting in the December Hurdle at the Dublin venue as Gordon Elliott’s mare (11-4) produced a strong finish to finish three and a quarter lengths clear of Willie Mullins’ pre-race favourite (4-6).
The five-strong field was led for most of the way by El Fabiolo with Jack Kennedy on Brighterdaysahead in pursuit.
As the race entered the final turn, the leader dropped back with Brighterdaysahead taking charge and although Paul Townend on Lossiemouth did mount a challenge, there was no closing the gap on the Champion Hurdle joint favourite.
Poniros (33-1) finished in third.
“We knew she had improved from the last day, whether she was good enough to beat Lossiemouth we weren’t sure,” Elliott told RTE Sport after the race.
“Jack had a plan that if nobody was going to make it we were going to make it. She’s very very tough and she stays.
“It’s great to be involved in these races and to win them is extra special. I was so nervous coming to the last, just thinking ‘I hope she jumps it’.
“Lossiemouth is a superstar and our one is a superstar as well. We’re lucky to have her.”
Majborough (2-1) took the Grade One Dublin Chase with an assured performance despite some previous jumping issues.
Last year’s Irish Arkle winner was in great form with a 19-length victory, racing clear on the home stretch from favourite Marine Nationale (5-4) and third-place Found A Fifty (10-1).
Sunday’s other Grade One races saw Kaid D’authie (5-1) take the Novice Steeplechase from Western Fold (12-1) and favourite Final Demand (30-100), while the Novice Hurdle went to pre-race favourite Talk The Talk (3-1), who finished in front of Ballyfad (7-2) and King Rasko Grey (11-2).
