Brighterdaysahead Storms to Victory in Irish Champion Hurdle
The 2026 Dublin racing festival kicked off with a roar on Sunday, as Brighterdaysahead delivered a commanding performance to win the Irish Champion Hurdle, upsetting the heavily favoured Lossiemouth by three-and-a-quarter lengths. The race, which had been postponed, finally got underway, drawing enthusiastic crowds to the stands.
A Dramatic Reversal of Form
In a thrilling contest, Brighterdaysahead, trained by Gordon Elliott, convincingly reversed the result from last month's December Hurdle, where Lossiemouth had emerged victorious by a length. This marked the first time the two mares, foaled within weeks of each other in March 2019, had met on the track, adding to the anticipation.
Lossiemouth, ridden by Paul Townend, struggled throughout the race, with Townend later admitting he was never comfortable aboard the favourite. In contrast, Jack Kennedy guided Brighterdaysahead with precision, seizing the lead on the turn for home and securing the win with a strong jump at the final hurdle.
Cheltenham Festival Betting Shake-Up
The outcome triggered significant movements in the ante-post betting for the upcoming Cheltenham festival. Lossiemouth, previously the narrow favourite for the Champion Hurdle on 10 March, saw her odds drift to a top price of 7-1, while she was cut to around 11-10 for the Mares' Hurdle on 12 March, a race she has won in the past two seasons.
Brighterdaysahead, meanwhile, has surged to the top of the Champion Hurdle market, now joint-favourite with The New Lion at odds as short as 5-2. This represents a remarkable turnaround for the mare, who finished only fourth as a 5-2 shot in the race last season.
Owner and Trainer Reactions
Michael O'Leary, owner of Brighterdaysahead, expressed delight at the win, stating it was a bonus that confirmed her fitness for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. He praised both mares as exceptional talents, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport.
The victory also bolstered Gordon Elliott's campaign to challenge Willie Mullins for Ireland's champion trainer title. However, Mullins responded strongly on the day, securing two Grade One wins with Kaid d'Authie in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase and Majborough in the Dublin Chase.
Majborough's Impressive Comeback
Majborough, who had underperformed in recent outings, including last season's Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham, returned to form in style. Wearing first-time cheekpieces, he jumped impeccably and powered to a 21-length victory over Marine Nationale, last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase winner.
This performance has made Majborough the new favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase on 11 March, with odds as low as 7-4, while Marine Nationale's odds have lengthened to 3-1.
The Dublin racing festival continues to deliver high-stakes drama, setting the stage for an exciting Cheltenham festival next month.
