Results at the Dublin Racing Festival always have a big impact on Cheltenham Festival betting markets, and Brighterdaysahead is now joint-favourite for Champion Hurdle glory following her convincing victory in the Irish equivalent.
Gordon Elliott’s mare was prominent throughout at Leopardstown and then kept on strongly to see off Lossiemouth by more than three lengths. With Sir Gino and State Man sidelined and a huge cloud hanging over Constitution Hill, Brighterdaysahead was cut to 9/4 for the Champion Hurdle , alongside The New Lion at the head of the market.
Eliott said, “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. All you have to do is look at her. She’s gorgeous.”
Mares Hurdle
Lossiemouth Now Tipped For Mares’ Hurdle Hat-Trick
Elliott had no hesitation in nominating the Champion Hurdle as his charge’s next target, but the debate will rumble on regarding Lossiemouth’s Cheltenham plans. Having previously beaten Brighterdaysahead over the same course and distance in the December Hurdle, Willie Mullins’ flying grey was always being niggled along before settling for second best this time.
Lossiemouth was subsequently eased out to 5/1 for the Champion Hurdle and is now just Evens to complete a hat-trick of Mares’ Hurdle triumphs next month. Jockey Paul Townend commented, “I was never comfortable on her. It surprised me that I actually got in with a chance at any stage. Everything was hard work.”
Queen Mother Champion Chase
Cheekpieces Help Get Majborough Back On Track.
Majborough got his act together in the jumping department when running away with the Dublin Chase and has been promoted to 6/4 favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham . With cheekpieces applied, Mark Walsh gave his mount a positive ride and pulled clear late on to romp home by 19 lengths from the returning Marine Nationale , who is 5/2 to retain his Champion Chase title.
Winning trainer Mullins beamed of the JP McManus -owned six-year-old: “He was terrific. You could see Mark was enjoying it, and the horse was enjoying it with him. It was just poetry in motion down the back.”
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Kaid d’Authie KO’s Final Demand
The same connections had earlier enjoyed Grade One novice chase success as Kaid d’Authie upstaged much-vaunted stablemate Final Demand with a dominant display. Mullins said, “ Kaid d’Authie was always a horse that showed me a lot at home. I’d think just putting cheekpieces on him has made a huge difference. It’s bringing out the sort of ability that he shows me at home.”
Of Final Demand , the Closutton maestro added: “There might be some little niggle there that we’re not seeing…I just think he didn’t show that enthusiasm that he normally does.” Kaid d’Authie was cut to 4/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase , while Final Demand is 7/2 to turn the tables at Cheltenham in that contest.
Supreme Novices Hurdle
Talk The Talk Enhances Supreme Claims
Joseph O’Brien’s Talk The Talk gained compensation for an unlucky defeat over Christmas when getting up close to home in a thrilling renewal of the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle . He finished with a flourish in the hands of JJ Slevin to deny the front-running Ballyfad by a short head, with King Rasko Grey only half a length further behind in third.
Slevin said, “I’d say he’s a very good horse. I was a bit worried about the ground coming here, but obviously, a good horse will go on any ground. He has a lot of class and is improving.” Talk The Talk i s 5/1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and O’Brien said: “He’s probably going to be favourite now and he’ll have a favourite’s chance.”
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