Jockey Gordon Elliott has confirmed his star filly Brighter Daysahead will continue to hurdle over hurdles in the 2024/25 jumping season, with his sights set on the Filly Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
On a private stable tour, attheraces.comElliott revealed the team had considered going over fences with the Grade 1 Mersey Novice hurdle winner, but instead stuck with smaller hurdles and a return date set for early November.
Brighter Daisa Head won four of her five starts last season, only losing to Golden Ace in the filly Novice Hurdle at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
“We strongly considered having her chase the novice, but the decision has been made and she will continue hurdling,” Elliott said. “She is scheduled to return to the Jeskie Hurdle at Down Royal on November 1st.
“She looks like a clear candidate for the Cheltenham Festival Filly Hurdle in the long term.
“We’ve never hidden how highly we think of her and can’t wait to get her back on the track. We value her the world.”
Meanwhile, Elliott’s Stayers hurdle heroics are as usual. Teahoo My seven-year-old son follows a well-worn route to the Cheltenham Festival in March.
“Last season we looked at what kind of campaign would best suit him and it worked so we’ll do the same this season,” Elliott said.
“He’ll start in the Hutton’s Grace Hurdle and then stay fresh for the Stayers Hurdle. He’s only seven years old and if we keep him right, he’s got a few years left. He has the potential to be at the top of this division.” ”
Gold Cup runner-up jeri colombe will also begin next month with the Down Royale Champion Chase, following the same route as the previous campaign.
“If everything goes well, he’ll be on the same path as last season,” Elliott said. “He showed that he is a top-class chaser when he did very well in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. It makes sense to try and get him back there.”
