BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD demolished Champion Hurdle king State Man in an amazing Neville Hotels Hurdle – but punters were left fuming about the ‘horrendous’ tactics at the start.
Paul Townend appeared to be caught sleeping as Sam Ewing on the winner and Danny Gilligan on pacemaker King Of Kingsfield hared off in front.
Some punters thought Paul Townend was caught sleeping on State Man, in the yellow and black silks at the back, as winner Brighterdaysahead stole a few lengths at the start – and never let up in an amazing 30-length win
The winner and pacemaker were a long way in front by the time they had jumped the first
That left the rest of the six-runner field, including State Man, trailing miles behind from the very get go.
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And that gap was never bridged, with Gordon Elliott’s wondermare running out an incredible 30-length winner over 66-1 Winter Fog.
State Man, who was sent off 4-9 favourite, looked dreadfully laboured and never got into second gear, let alone top gear.
Brighterdaysahead, who beat State Man in the Morgiana, confirmed that form in devastating style after being sent off 5-2.
The victory was all the more humbling for Willie Mullins’ son Patrick, who said his dad’s horse was an absolute good thing.
Speaking ahead of the Grade 1 at Leopardstown, Patrick said: “Brighterdayshead is a fantastic mare, better than I gave her credit for, and Gordon and Jack (Kennedy) deserve a lot of credit because they were always very sweet on her.
“But I’m all in on State Man here.
“Whatever Santa cost, whatever the Christmas dinner cost, get it back on State Man.
“Back at Leopardstown and with a run under his belt, I think he’ll get back on top.”
Regarding the savvy tactics the Elliott runners employed at the start, one punter wrote: “Some mare is Brighterdaysahead but what are Mullins lot doing letting them off like that?”
Another post read: “As soon as they went off 10-15l in front the outcome was all but decided as long as she didn’t fall.
“State Man obviously not the force of old but did Townend honestly think Brighterdaysahead was going to come back to him knowing she’s got a serious engine on her?
“Horrendous stuff.”
Brighterdaysahead was slashed to as short as 7-2 from 20-1 for the Champion Hurdle, with the reinvigorated Constitution Hill 4-7 fav.
However, to the total dismay of some, Elliott said afterwards that it looks like they will continue with their plan of running in the Mares Hurdle.
There was initially chaos in the markets as Paddy Power remained as big as 11-4 after Elliott spoke, but they were soon forced to cut to 7-4.
Brighterdaysahead could meet Lossiemouth in the Mares, although Mullins recently indicated they will plough on with their aim of the Champion Hurdle and a rematch with Constitution Hill.
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