Irish Champion Hurdle: Brighterdaysahead turns the tables on Lossiemouth

Brighterdaysahead beat Lossiemouth in a rematch with Leopardstown to win the Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday.

It was the opposite of their December hurdle meeting at Dublin Place where the Gordon Elliott mare (11-4) produced a strong finish to finish three and a quarter lengths clear of pre-race favorite Willie Mullins (4-6).

The five-strong field was led by El Fabiolo most of the way with Jack Kennedy’s Brighterdaysahead in pursuit.

As the race entered the final turn, the leaders fell behind with Brighterdaysahead taking charge, and although Paul Townend on Lossiemouth was challenged, there was no closing the gap on the Champion Hurdle favorite.

Boneros (33-1) finished third.

“We knew she had improved since the last day, we weren’t sure if she was good enough to beat Lossiemouth,” Elliott told RTE Sport after the race.

“Jack had a plan that if no one could make it we would make it happen. It’s very difficult and it will remain.

“It’s great to be involved in these races and to win them is very special. I was so nervous when I got to the last race, I just thought ‘I hope you jump on it’.”

“Lucymouth is a big star and ours is a star too. We’re lucky to have her.”

Majborough (2-1) claimed the Grade 1 Dublin Chase with an assured performance despite some previous jumping issues.

Last year’s Irish winner Arkle was in fine form to win by 19 lengths, racing clear on home soil from favorite Marine National (5-4) and third place finder A Fifty (10-1).

Other Grade 1 races on Sunday saw Kaid D’authie (5-1) win the Western Fold’s Novice Steeplechase (12-1) and final order favorite (30-100), while the Novice Hurdle went to pre-race favorite Talk The Talk (3-1), who finished ahead of Ballyfad (7-2) and kingpin Rascoe Gray (11-2).