Elliott and owner Gigginstown House Stud remained with the dilemma of disputes of the obstacle of the CLOSE Brothers Mares mare, for which Lighterdaysahead was a hot favorite or dealt with the constitutional hill at the main event, with the last option of her confirmed target.
The mare coached Gordon Elliott was beaten only once in her career at 10 races and will go to Prestbury Park after running in November in the first grade in Morgiani in November and Leopardstown’s Neville Hotels Hureldle on Christmas.
She beat last year’s Champion Hurtle Hero State Man for three quarters of the first opportunity and that rival left in December, as Werterdaysahead had more than 31 lengths in third place.
The coach said www.godonelliottracing.com: “I can confirm that Werterdaysahead will go to Unibet Champion Hurtle in Cheltenham. After talking to Michael and Eddie (O’Leary), we decided that we would take the possibility of obstacle to the champion.
“Obviously it will be a huge mare test, but she’s in excellent shape. The preparation has gone great and she is in a large row.
“We have never won the champion obstacle and is great to have the challenger for one of the most famous National Hunt Racing races, so we are very much looking forward to.”
Coral squeezed a light on 2-1 seconds of a 9-4 favorite for the champion, and the Hill Constitution led the market as 8-13 after being slightly mitigated from 1-2 after the news that Elliott’s mare would run.
Lossiemouth is the next best on the list at 4-1, although there is now 4-6 favorites for the obstacle of a mare in the absence of Werterdaysahead.
“Brighterdaysahead absolutely deserves its place on this year’s Champion Hurtle terrain, so it is the credit for her relationships for the challenge decision. She is a clear second favorite for the race, and while the Hill Constitution remains the prospect of the return of her crown, the presence of a mare has undoubtedly made his task harder,” David Stevens said.
