BRIGHT' TIME

Kennedy eyes Cheltenham Festival glory

- BY BRIAN FLANAGAN

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD ridden by Jack Kennedy is clipped for the Champion Hurdle

JACK Kennedy has a Cheltenham Gold Cup on his CV but he is also hopeful he can add a Champion Hurdle in seven weeks time.

He won the chasing blue ribband on Minella Indo in 2021, one of a dozen Festival winners he’s ridden since bursting onto the scene when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Labaik in 2017.

He'll arrive in the Cotswolds in March with a strong book of rides and is hopeful one Gordon Elliotttrained mare can provide him with another championship success.

Mares have an excellent record in the Champion Hurdle with Golden Ace's success 12 months ago following on from Honeysuckle (2021, 2022), Epatante (2020) and Annie Power (2016).

Brighterdaysahead was expected to go chasing this season but an interrupted autumn saw her switch back to hurdles at Christmas where she finished an encouraging second to mare Lossiemouth at Leopardstown.