GORDON ELLIOTT hinted at a surprise Champion Hurdle tilt for superstar mare Brighterdaysahead after she won on her big seasonal return.
The 5-2 Cheltenham Festival Mares’ Hurdle ante-post favourite got the better of Willie Mullins’ well-tipped Daddy Long Legs in the Grade 3 Bottlegreen Hurdle.
The Meath-trained mare was unlucky to come second in last year’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in Gloucestershire, but has started her season with a bang.
And Elliott, 46, hinted at a potential Champion Hurdle tilt for his superstar mare.
In a post-race interview, he said: “We’ve been second and third in the Champion Hurdle and I think this one is in the mix.
“I think she’s very, very good. She’s got a high cruising speed which is what you need in Champion Hurdles.
“I would like to win it, to be honest. I sometimes think about myself – why have I got so many stayers?
“But I think this one – she’s got a lot of class. I’m not saying that’s the road we are going but we’ll see.
“We were delighted with her today. She had a good blow after the third last, she got in a bit to the last and the second last which knocked the stuffing out of her a bit.
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“But look I’m happy. She only does what she has to do. The other horse just picked up the pieces behind her.”
This sparked a hefty debate on X, with some punters doubting the five-year-old’s chances against the likes of Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill.
One harsh punter said: “Haha she’ll get hammered.”
Another added: “Was he p*****d when he said it , Lossiemouth would leather her.”
Another fan commented: “Wouldn’t go that far. Can’t see her winning any race at Cheltenham.”
But Brighterdaysahead no doubt has a fan club behind her too, some of which where beside themselves with excitement about the potential of her having a go at the big’un.
One said: “Gordon Elliott saying she could go for the Champion Hurdle!!!!”
Another added: “That will silence the doubters.”
Elliott was having a day from heaven as promising Novice Hurdler The Yellow Clay also bolted in under the same silks as Zanahyir.
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