Sweet vindication for trainer Elliott who always believed in Brighterdaysahead

Mare's masterclass Leopardstown victory over an out-of-sorts State Man gives Gordon Elliott his 100th Grade One triumph and 2000th National Hunt winner in Ireland 

BRIGHT AND BREEZY: Owners Michael and Anita O'Leary, Jockey, Sam Ewing and Trainer Gordon Elliott after Brighterdaysahead won the Neville Hotels Hurdle during day four of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, Ireland. Pic: Damien Eagers/PA Wire

Brighterdaysahead is everything Gordon Elliott has always said she was. A season over fences was mooted but a late decision was made to keep her over hurdles for another season and that was vindicated when she and rider Sam Ewing routed the opposition, which included Champion Hurdler State Man, in the Neville Hotels Hurdle on Sunday afternoon’s card in Leopardstown.

For the winning trainer, it capped a memorable day as she was his 100th Grade One winner, following on from The Enabler’s earlier success, which brought his tally of National Hunt winners in Ireland to 2000.