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Brighterdaysahead got the better of Lossiemouth in their Leopardstown rematch to win the Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday.<\/b><\/p>\n
It was a reverse from their meeting in the December Hurdle at the Dublin venue as Gordon Elliott’s mare (11-4) produced a strong finish to finish three and a quarter lengths clear of Willie Mullins’ pre-race favourite (4-6).<\/p>\n
The five-strong field was led for most of the way by El Fabiolo with Jack Kennedy on Brighterdaysahead in pursuit.<\/p>\n
As the race entered the final turn, the leader dropped back with Brighterdaysahead taking charge and although Paul Townend on Lossiemouth did mount a challenge, there was no closing the gap on the Champion Hurdle joint favourite.<\/p>\n
Poniros (33-1) finished in third.<\/p>\n
“We knew she had improved from the last day, whether she was good enough to beat Lossiemouth we weren’t sure,” Elliott told RTE Sport after the race.<\/p>\n
“Jack had a plan that if nobody was going to make it we were going to make it. She’s very very tough and she stays.<\/p>\n
“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’.<\/p>\n
“Lossiemouth is a superstar and our one is a superstar as well. We’re lucky to have her.”<\/p>\n
Majborough (2-1) took the Grade One Dublin Chase with an assured performance despite some previous jumping issues.<\/p>\n
Last year’s Irish Arkle winner was in great form with a 19-length victory, racing clear on the home stretch from favourite Marine Nationale (5-4) and third-place Found A Fifty (10-1).<\/p>\n
Sunday’s other Grade One races saw Kaid D’authie (5-1) take the Novice Steeplechase from Western Fold (12-1) and favourite Final Demand (30-100), while the Novice Hurdle went to pre-race favourite Talk The Talk (3-1), who finished in front of Ballyfad (7-2) and King Rasko Grey (11-2).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n