Brighterdaysahead, left, wins a battle with State Man© Photo Healy Racing
Jack Kennedy's smile was a mile wide after Brighterdaysahead (9/4) downed reigning Champion Hurdler State man in an epic renewal of the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
The race lost some of its lustre when State Man s stablemate, crack mare Lossiemouth, was ruled out due to a stone bruise, but the 'big two' served up a feast for racegoers.
Brighterdaysahead, with the benefit of a seasonal reappearance victory in a Grade 3 at Down Royal, went on from flagfall and soon established a healthy cushion over the tracking State Man who was out for the first time since Grade 1 success at the Punchestown Festival in May.
He had almost reeled her in after two out and loomed large rounding the home bend. Paul Townend asked him for more on the run to the last and you could see the champion's head lower as he warmed to the task.
There was a huge roar from the crowd as State Man hit the front just before last, however, the final act hadn't been played out yet.
He wasn't fluent over it and Brighterdaysahead certainly hadn't gone away on his inner. She dug deep for Kennedy inside the final furlong and regained the lead in the closing stages.
Both horses gave their all and it was Brighterdayshead who hit the line three-parts of a length up on the 4/9 favourite.
Gordon Elliott said: “I know she had race fitness, but I thought it was a good performance.
“Everything went wrong for her because she was on her own in front. She would be better with a lead.
“We knew two miles would be a bit short for her, but she had race fitness and we had to make use of it. She was idling in front and wasn’t doing a stroke, so you would have to be happy.
“She is having a good blow, so there is plenty of improvement in her. She’s a good mare.
“The Mares' Hurdle is probably the race made for her, but we’ll see what happens.
“Leopardstown could be a bit sharp for her, but we’ll have a chat with Michael and Eddie (O'Leary) and see what they would like to do.”
Kennedy added: "Hopefully (a Champion Hurdle horse), and she had to do it the hard way there as well today.
"To be honest, I think she hated it out in front.
"She did all the donkey work and she was very tough. State Man came and laid down his challenge, and she didn't lie down to him so that was great.
"I had an idea they were going to try and keep it steady, so I just had to go and make the running on her. It didn't suit her, but it worked out.
"It would (good pace in the Champion Hurdle would suit) and hopefully it would bring out the stamina in her.
"I don't know, we'll see what the lads say what the plan is. She would have had to do that today anyway (to go for the Champion Hurdle) and thankfully she did.
"She's improving away the whole time. I think she will have learned plenty today as well and it might make her kind of grow up a bit more having to go and do it."
This brought up a double for Elliott and Kennedy who also combined with Stellar Story in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl.
Willie Mullins, trainer of State Man, said: “She’s a good mare and I never mind being beaten by a good horse.
“I don’t think the last hurdle made the difference. He got to the front and she outbattled him.”
Paddy Power and Betfair slashed Brighterdaysahead from 14/1 to 4/1 for the Champion Hurdle while State Man was pushed out to 7/2 from 5/2. Lossiemouth is the 15/8 favourite (from 5/2jf).
She was kept unchanged at 5/2 for the Mares' Hurdle.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
