Elliott eager to break his duck in the Champion Hurdle

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott believes Brighterdaysahead can win the 2025 Champion Hurdle if connections allow her to run in the race.

Elliott has never previously won the two-mile hurdling showpiece at the Cheltenham Festival and is desperate to add his name to the honour roll.

The six-year-old mare is second favourite in the 2025 Cheltenham odds for the Champion Hurdle, but she may not run in the race next month.

Brighterdaysahead could take the easier option of running in the Mares’ Hurdle on the same day, scuppering Elliott’s hopes of breaking his Champions Hurdle duck.

Her brilliant performance in the Grade 1 Nevills Hotels Hurdle at Leopardstown over the festive period had Elliott dreaming about a tilt at the big one.

On that occasion, she finished 30 lengths ahead of Winter Fog while reigning champion hurdler State Man was a further length and a quarter back in third.

Elliott believes Brighterdaysahead is the best two-mile hurdler he has ever trained and says he would love to have a crack at the Champion Hurdle with her.

“She’s in great form,” Elliot said. “I couldn’t be any happier with her, and she’ll do a bit of work after racing this weekend.

“I just want to give her a canter on grass to knock the freshness out of her. Shane McCann rides her every day and he’s very happy with her. She looks brilliant.

“We won’t be making a decision until the week beforehand. We don’t need to make it until then. But, look, we’ll be straight out and say it.

“We won’t leave it until the eleventh hour to make a decision. We’ll make it the week before just to let everyone know.

“We’ll run her in whatever race we feel is best for the mare. She’s the number one. Whether that’s the Mares’ Hurdle or the Champion Hurdle, we’ll see.”

While Elliott is unsure which route Brighterdaysahead will take at Cheltenham in March, fellow Irish trainer Willie Mullins’ plans for the Champion Hurdle are crystal clear.

His State Man returned to form on his most recent outing, recording a six-and-a-half-long victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The eight-year-old will now bid to defend his hurdling crown at Cheltenham and prove that his victory in last year’s race was no fluke.

However, stablemate Lossiemouth could be a big threat if she has fully recovered from the crashing fall she took at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The six-year-old looked poised to frighten State Man but crashed out of the race on the fourth last flight after being distracted by a flock of seagulls.

Mullins has confirmed that State Man and Lossiemouth will be targeted at the Champion Hurdle, adding further spice to the race.

Although Elliott and Mullins have set their sights on winning the two-mile hurdling crown, top British trainer Nicky Henderson has other ideas.

Stable star Constitution Hill has put a series of niggling issues behind him this season to record emphatic victories at Kempton and Cheltenham.

The 2023 Champion Hurdle winner seems to be back to his very best, and Henderson is looking forward to pitching him against Ireland’s finest.

“I’m worried about all the challengers – we’ve got to do our own thing and whatever comes, comes,” Henderson said.

“If Brighterdaysahead comes she would ensure a good, sound gallop – which probably means they’ll hold her up now!

“We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves now, that is probably the last we’ll see of any of the protagonists before March. We’re happy where we are and let’s hope it stays that way.”