I wouldn’t be totally shocked to see Lossiemouth reverse that form if they met again at Cheltenham

At the Dublin Racing Festival, Brighterdaysahead delivered a big performance to win the Irish Champion Hurdle, coming out on top of a rematch with Lossiemouth.

The race was run over 2 miles on heavy ground and attracted a small but high-quality field. Brighterdaysahead, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, tracked the early pace before taking the lead approaching the straight and pulling clear to win by about three and a quarter lengths.

Lossiemouth, the 4/6 favourite trained by Willie Mullins, finished second, with Poniros back in third and Anzadam and El Fabiolo further back.

Is Lossiemouth top class?

The victory confirmed Brighterdaysahead’s status as a top contender and saw her odds shorten for the 2026 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, while Lossiemouth’s position in the market drifted after her defeat.

Speaking on this week’s irishracing.com’s Irish Angle, Jonny Ward reflects on the race:

“It was a strange market again: Brighterdaysahead was 13/8 in the morning, went off 11/4. You’re like, ‘Jesus, how can I back this mare when she looks so weak?’.

“There was talk about her at Christmas coming back to her best. Lossiemouth, I’ve said this several times, she’s not really top class. Paul Townend last year, in his mind, had a horse absolutely better than Lossiemouth.

“She never went a yard again and was beaten a long way out.

“Brighterdaysahead, if she turns up at Cheltenham now, I wouldn’t be sure about her winning the Champion Hurdle.

“She was desperately disappointing at Cheltenham last year despite coming in in great form, but yes, it was a good performance’

Champion Hurdle picture

The 2026 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham is shaping up to be an open and competitive race, with a mix of proven Festival performers and exciting younger talent.

The New Lion, currently the ante-post favourite, has impressed this season, including a commanding win in the Unibet Hurdle on Cheltenham Trials Day.

He possesses the speed and turn of foot required for the two-mile Champion Hurdle and is expected to go well if he handles the conditions.

Brighterdaysahead, fresh from her decisive victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, has moved up the betting and looks a serious contender, showing toughness and stamina over testing ground.

Other notable runners include Constitution Hill, the former dual Champion Hurdle winner, who remains a strong player if tuned back for hurdles after his recent flat outing, and Lossiemouth, a top-class mare with multiple Festival successes, although she may target the Mares’ Hurdle instead.

Golden Ace, another proven Cheltenham performer, brings experience and consistency, while horses like Anzadam, Ballyburn, and Poniros could spring a surprise if the race develops to their strengths.

Overall, the race promises to be competitive, with The New Lion and Brighterdaysahead leading the market, but plenty of depth behind them could make for an exciting showdown at the Festival.

Emma Nagle updates us on the odds: ‘Brighterdaysahead is now 2/1 favorite for the Champion Hurdle, with Constitution Hill 7/2 and Lossiemouth 4/1.

“On the day, Brighterdaysahead was brilliant, but her Cheltenham form makes it hard to back her for the Champion Hurdle.

“I wouldn’t be totally shocked to see Lossiemouth reverse that form if they met again at Cheltenham.”

Brighterdaysahead

Brighterdaysahead is a 7-year-old bay mare, foaled on 8 March 2019 in France, bred by Francois‑Marie Cottin

She is by Kapgarde (FR) out of Matnie (FR) (by Laveron (GB)), giving her a pedigree suited to top-level National Hunt racing with stamina and hurdling aptitude.

She was consigned to the 2022 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale by renowned producers John and Niall Bleahen of Lakefield Farm, where she was sold for €310,000 to Gordon Elliott for Gigginstown House Stud (owned by Michael and Anita O’Leary).

Under Elliott, Brighterdaysahead has developed into a Grade 1 class hurdler, this weekend winning the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown and performing consistently at the highest level.

Her success story - from a high-priced sale to Grade 1 glory - and her current form make her one of the standout mares in the 2026 Champion Hurdle and Mares’ Hurdle picture at Cheltenham, embodying the ideal mix of pedigree, performance, and careful management that defines elite National Hunt racing.