Brighterdaysahead secures impressive victory at Leopardstown to become Gordon Elliott's 100th Grade One winner
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Gordon Elliott had a day he will never forget as Brighterdaysahead became the 100th Grade One winner of his career in a style that needed to be seen to be believed. The mare renewed rivalry with State Man, whom she had beaten after a ding-dong battle in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month, in the Neville’s Hotel Hurdle as Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival drew to a close.
![[Trainer Gordon Elliott has now secured an impressive 100 Grade One victories]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/29/20/93565511-0-image-a-62_1735504144229.jpg)
Elliott was already guaranteed of this being a landmark afternoon, as The Enabler’s victory in the opening race brought his career tally up to 2000 in Ireland. But that quickly became a footnote after Brighterdaysahead streaked an astonishing 30 lengths clear in the feature contest.
![[The Enabler’s win in the opening race brought Elliott's career tally up to 2000 in Ireland]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/29/20/93565641-14234475-image-a-75_1735504541744.jpg)
Though State Man was clearly out of sorts, with jockey Paul Townend admitting he knew he was beaten after jumping the first flight, Brighterdaysahead put up the kind of performance for jockey Sam Ewing that left you hoping she will tackle Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle next March. Elliott would prefer her to run in the Mares Hurdle, over two-and-a-half miles.
Brighterdaysahead, ridden by Sam Ewing, secured victory in the Neville Hotels Hurdle. Trainer Gordon Elliott has now secured an impressive 100 Grade One victories. The Enabler’s win in the opening race brought Elliott's career tally up to 2000 in Ireland.
