2026 Champion Hurdle runner-up Brighterdaysahead is set to go over fences next season, but first will go to Aintree. We’ve listed all the possible future options for Gordon Elliott’s mare…
Brighterdaysahead Set For Campaign Over Fences
According to Gigginstown boss Michael O’Leary, Brightersdaysahead says that his mare is ‘definitely’ going over fences next season.
He told the Racing Post: “As long as all is well, we’ll go to Aintree, and then she’s going jumping. If she stays fit and sound, she’s definitely going chasing next year.”
Although this has been said before, the 2026/2027 season may just be the one where we see Brighterdaysahead finally race over fences.
She was due to make her chase debut at Navan last November but a minor setback didn’t allow it, she then stayed hurdling – eventually winning the Irish Champion Hurdle and finishing second in the British equivalent at the Cheltenham Festival.
Her and Lossiemouth have been proper rivals this season, with the scoreline going 2-1 in favour of Willie Mullins‘ mare last week.
WATCH: Brighterdaysahead Wins Irish Champion Hurdle
👑 BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD 👑
The Irish Champion Hurdle goes the way of @gelliott_racing and @jackkennedy15.#DRF ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/VETq91vWqD
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 1, 2026
Where Will Brighterdaysahead Run Next Season?
Whilst it’s early doors right now and the decision probably isn’t final, there is be a rough blueprint of what to potentially expect next season.
Gordon Elliott usually likes to unleash his beginner chasers in October or November. Romeo Coolio made his debut over fences at Down Royal (2m4f) this season, he ended up picking up a string of wins in Novice Chases before blowing out at Cheltenham when seen last.
Brighterdaysahead was originally entered in a Beginners Chase (2m1f) at Navan in mid-November last year, but wasn’t declared. We could see her go for that again, before a tilt at the Drinmore Novices’ Chase at Fairyhouse if she takes to fences all okay.
Next could be a run at Leopardstown over Christmas before the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival. There is also the option of the Ladbrokes Novices’ Chase over 2m5f at the DRF, which her brother Mighty Potter won in 2023.
WATCH: Mighty Potter Wins Ladbrokes Novice Chase
2020: Faugheen
2021: Monkfish
2022: Galopin Des Champs2023: 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫@gelliott_racing‘s brilliant 6yo swats aside Willie Mullins’ quintet with a ruthless display in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase @LeopardstownRC under @_Davy_Russel_ #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/Cu2QJX1gMM
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2023
There is a number of options for Brighterdaysahead at the 2027 Cheltenham Festival, including the Mares’ Chase – which she was once 5/1 second favourite for. She could also run in the Ryanair, which her owner sponsors. If they were to stick to Novice company at Cheltenham, the Arkle and Brown Advisory are the options.
Potential Brighterdaysahead Novice Chase Path
Chase Debut/Beginners Chase
- End of October: Beginners Chase (Down Royal, 2m4f)
- Mid-November: Beginners Chase (Navan, 2m1f)
Graded Company
- Early December: Mares Novices’ Chase (Cork, 2m1f)
- Early December: Drinmore Novices’ Chase (Fairyhouse, 2m4f)
- Boxing Day: Racing Post Novices’ Chase (Leopardstown 2m1f)
Dublin Racing Festival
- Ladbrokes Novices’ Chase (2m5f)
- Irish Arkle Novices’ Chase (2m1f)
Cheltenham Festival
- Arkle Novices’ Chase (2m)
- Champion Chase (2m)
- Ryanair Chase (2m4 1/2f)
- Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (3m1f)
Keep an eye out for our 2027 Cheltenham Festival antepost tips where Brighterdaysahead may feature.
