Brighterdaysahead lights up Morgiana Hurdle
Gordon Elliott landed a hat-trick which included a Graded double at Punchestown
Saturday, 23 November 2024
Jack Kennedy saddled each of Gordon Elliott's winners at Punchestown including Brighterdaysahead's auspicious win in the showpiece
The Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham looks tailor-made for her over the further trip, and I’d say she’ll be even better going left-handed - Gordon Elliott on Brighterdaysahead
Brighterdaysahead shone brightest on a fruitful day for Gordon Elliott, who secured a hat-trick of winners at Punchestown, writes Harry Crichton.
The superstar mare thrust herself into Champion Hurdle contention, becoming the first to beat State Man in Ireland under a superb Jack Kennedy ride in the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle.
Kennedy led from the front, expecting Paul Townend to steady the pace aboard State Man and the 4/9 favourite loomed alongside Brighterdaysahead two out but made a fault at the last hurdle.
Elliott’s five-year-old showed incredible grit from there to rally and reclaim the lead, coming home on top for a second top-level triumph.
Speaking to Racing TV, Kennedy said: "There were no secrets about what we thought of her, and it was nice for her to go and do that today. She had to do it the hard way.”
“When State Man came to her, she really knuckled down and out battled him.”
“She had to do that today to be a Champion Hurdle mare. She’ll have to improve again, but hopefully she’s going the right way.”
Bookmakers slashed her odds for the Unibet Champion Hurdle in March to as short as 4/1 in some places, having been 14/1 this morning. Yet Elliott remained tight-lipped about her seasonal targets.
“She’ll be entered in everything!” he said. “The Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham looks tailor-made for her over the further trip, and I’d say she’ll be even better going left-handed.
“The Champion Hurdle is a race I’d love to win, but we’ll enjoy today and get her home.”
Elliott also claimed a clean sweep in the Grade 2 Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase, with Stellar Story edging out his stablemates in a gripping finish.
Gigginstown Stud fielded all three runners, with Jack Kennedy opting for the Albert Bartlett winner.
He had to fend off a late charge from Search For Glory, but it was Kennedy’s mount who got his head in front on the line.
“The first and second have probably done more at home, if I’m honest,” said Elliott. “Jack stood off one in the back, and I would say he was very lucky. If Sam hadn’t hit the last, I think he would’ve won.
“They’re two big three-mile horses. All credit has to go to Michael O’Leary for putting all three horses in the race - that’s what it’s all about. There was a good finish at the end there as well.”
Binge Worthy rounded off a stellar day for Elliott and Kennedy, winning the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Qualifier Handicap Hurdle.
Elsewhere, Willie Mullins' superstar novice chaser Ballyburn left a lasting impression in the Beginners' Chase.
His flawless debut over fences saw him clipped to 2/1 for the Arkle Chase.
Townend dictated the race from the front aboard the six-year-old, whose jumping improved markedly in the closing stages.
Jack Kennedy onboard Dee Capo tracked the leader for much of the contest but a significant mistake four out dented his chances, while Ballyburn galloped clear after the last to win by 13 lengths from stablemate Ocastle Des Mottes.
“I was very happy with everything he did,” said Townend. “He was having a look, measured things, took his blow, and went on again. He galloped down the straight well.
“I liked what he did when he was tired, he didn’t do anything stupid. I think he’s matured this year. He was manageable, and everything was positive.”
The superstar mare thrust herself into Champion Hurdle contention, becoming the first to beat State Man in Ireland under a superb Jack Kennedy ride in the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle.
Kennedy led from the front, expecting Paul Townend to steady the pace aboard State Man and the 4/9 favourite loomed alongside Brighterdaysahead two out but made a fault at the last hurdle.
Elliott’s five-year-old showed incredible grit from there to rally and reclaim the lead, coming home on top for a second top-level triumph.
Brighterdaysahead wins the battle with State Man in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown under a superb ride by Jack Kennedy! 👏@unibet |@jackkennedy15 |@gelliott_racing | @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/AhEtCiIDw3
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) November 23, 2024
Speaking to Racing TV, Kennedy said: "There were no secrets about what we thought of her, and it was nice for her to go and do that today. She had to do it the hard way.”
“When State Man came to her, she really knuckled down and out battled him.”
“She had to do that today to be a Champion Hurdle mare. She’ll have to improve again, but hopefully she’s going the right way.”
Bookmakers slashed her odds for the Unibet Champion Hurdle in March to as short as 4/1 in some places, having been 14/1 this morning. Yet Elliott remained tight-lipped about her seasonal targets.
“She’ll be entered in everything!” he said. “The Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham looks tailor-made for her over the further trip, and I’d say she’ll be even better going left-handed.
An incredible treble at @punchestownrace today with Brighterdaysahead scoring the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle, Stellar Story winning the Florida Pearl and Binge Worthy rounding off the day. Well done team 👏
— Gordon Elliott (@gelliott_racing) November 23, 2024
📸Healy Racing pic.twitter.com/gO1XQ0qY8n
“The Champion Hurdle is a race I’d love to win, but we’ll enjoy today and get her home.”
Elliott also claimed a clean sweep in the Grade 2 Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase, with Stellar Story edging out his stablemates in a gripping finish.
Gigginstown Stud fielded all three runners, with Jack Kennedy opting for the Albert Bartlett winner.
He had to fend off a late charge from Search For Glory, but it was Kennedy’s mount who got his head in front on the line.
“The first and second have probably done more at home, if I’m honest,” said Elliott. “Jack stood off one in the back, and I would say he was very lucky. If Sam hadn’t hit the last, I think he would’ve won.
“They’re two big three-mile horses. All credit has to go to Michael O’Leary for putting all three horses in the race - that’s what it’s all about. There was a good finish at the end there as well.”
Binge Worthy rounded off a stellar day for Elliott and Kennedy, winning the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Qualifier Handicap Hurdle.
Elsewhere, Willie Mullins' superstar novice chaser Ballyburn left a lasting impression in the Beginners' Chase.
His flawless debut over fences saw him clipped to 2/1 for the Arkle Chase.
It's a winning start to life over fences for Ballyburn 🙌
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) November 23, 2024
A dominant performance in the Conway Piling Beginners Chase for @WillieMullinsNH 👏#EveryRacingMomentpic.twitter.com/ey6AOIziVl
Townend dictated the race from the front aboard the six-year-old, whose jumping improved markedly in the closing stages.
Jack Kennedy onboard Dee Capo tracked the leader for much of the contest but a significant mistake four out dented his chances, while Ballyburn galloped clear after the last to win by 13 lengths from stablemate Ocastle Des Mottes.
“I was very happy with everything he did,” said Townend. “He was having a look, measured things, took his blow, and went on again. He galloped down the straight well.
“I liked what he did when he was tired, he didn’t do anything stupid. I think he’s matured this year. He was manageable, and everything was positive.”