SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 5m 7.2s

Brighterdaysahead⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 163| C| D

6/4

Very smart mare who was 2-2 in bumpers and fine strike rate over hurdles, adding pair of Grade 1s to her haul over the winter. Latest fourth in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f) has to go down as underwhelming but standout claims on these terms back against her own sex. Expected to bounce back.

Form: 1-1114

Gala Marceau^h¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143| BF

12/1

Useful hurdler who was let down by her jumping in Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham (19.9f) but kept the mistakes to a minimum when second in 10-runner Grade 2 at Fairyhouse (20f) 12 days ago. No surprise to see her give her running again and challenge for minor honours.

Form: 62-3F2

Jade De Grugy⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| C

1/1

Smart mare with an excellent strike rate, making light of an 11-month absence when landing Quevega Mares' Hurdle over C&D in February. Subsequent second behind stablemate Lossiemouth in Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham was a solid display and she looks the chief threat to Brighterdaysahead.

Form: 141-12

July Flower⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 143

11/1

6-y-o mare who reached a useful level over hurdles in France (placed in Gr. 1) and perfect start for new yard/after 8 months off when taking Leopardstown Gr 3 (19.8f) in December. Steadily-run race didn't see her to best advantage when fifth in Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham but others stronger.

Form: 23-315

Lot of Joy⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 133| C

80/1

Camelot mare who displayed useful form when landing back-to-back mares' contests in the autumn. However, disappointed both starts in stronger company since and plenty on her plate again here.

Form: 8-1164

Wyenot⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: H D Daly| OR: 138| BF

28/1

Likeable with a good strike rate, her fifth success in 8 hurdles runs coming in a Doncaster listed race in December. Ran well in Mares' Grade 2 back there a month later before a rare off day at Kelso (24.4f) 6 weeks ago. Work to do on first crack at Grade 1 level.

Form: -14133

Forecasts

Jade De Grugy (1/1), Brighterdaysahead (6/4), July Flower (11/1), Gala Marceau (12/1), Wyenot (28/1), Lot of Joy (80/1)

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD had stamped herself as a serious player at the highest level before a rare below-par display when fourth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham 53 days ago. However, that effort is best forgiven in isolation and she's hard to oppose on these terms. Jade de Grugy looks the chief threat on the back of her second in the Mares' Hurdle at the Festival, with Gala Marceau next best.