Gordon Elliott tips Brighterdaysahead for Champion Hurdle tilt

Gordon Elliott raised the possibility of Brighterdaysahead becoming a Champion Hurdle contender after enhancing the trainer's fine record in the Bottlegreen Hurdle at Down Royal.

The five-year-old was one of the highlights of a six-timer for the Cullentra House handler on this card 12 months ago and was sent off the 4-5 favourite this time around for the Grade Three feature on Friday afternoon.

Although a shade untidy at her obstacles in the closing stages and briefly threatened by stablemate and runner-up King Of Kingsfield, Sam Ewing's mount did not let her supporters down, coming home with a cosy three-and-three-quarter-length advantage.

"We didn't want it turning into a sprint - we kind of thought Paul (Townend, on Daddy Long Legs) might try to stack them up in front.

"I said to Sam 'look, go out and go a good gallop the whole way'. He said it wasn't ideal because she was looking around in front the whole way.

"He said she had a good blow and she will come on plenty from it.

"If she had winged the last two, she would have won a couple of lengths. She is never going to win more than what she is going to, but it's great to win."

With connections electing to remain over timber with the Gigginstown House Stud-owned youngster, the Grade One-winning Brighterdaysahead was cut to 2-1 from 11-4 favourite with Coral for the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at next year's Cheltenham Festival.

However, Elliott could easily envisage Brighterdaysahead aiming even higher and possibly taking on the likes of reigning Champion Hurdler State Man and Constitution Hill later in the year.

"The Morgiana Hurdle in Punchestown is only three weeks, so it might be a bit soon. She could go two or two and a half (miles)," continued Elliott.

"To be honest, she