PUNTERS are in turmoil after Gordon Elliott confirmed they will have to wait a little longer to find out where Brighterdaysahead runs.
The awesome wondermare has been untouchable this season, winning the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle by 30 lengths when last seen as part of a quickfire hat-trick.
She was hammered into odds-on favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival after that – despite having reigning Champion Hurdle king State Man trailing behind.
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But Elliott has hinted all along he wants a crack at Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle.
And seeing Nicky Henderson’s star in a pre-Cheltenham workout at Kempton yesterday has done little to change his mind.
But he revealed on Wednesday that the final decision will come down to owner and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary.
And it won’t be made until Monday or Tuesday next week, leaving punters guessing a little while longer.
More than £100,000 has been matched on Brighterdaysahead in the Champion Hurdle and Mares’ Hurdle combined on the Betfair Exchange.
But her price for the latter has fluctuated massively in recent days.
Elliott said during a stable visit everyone will know her definite target soon enough, insisting they will ‘do the right thing’ for the horse.
He said: “It’s a Champion Hurdle, it’d be great to win it and we could be a long time trying to get a horse for it again, but if you look at the betting she’s very short for the Mares’ Hurdle.
“You don’t persuade Michael, he does his own thing, and we’ll do the right thing for the horse.
“It (the decision) will be made on Monday or Tuesday.
“I don’t think we’ve had as good a chance in a Champion Hurdle before.
“We’ve been second and third in Champion Hurdles and Jack Kennedy says she’s different class.”
Brighterdaysahead is 1-2 non-runner no bet for the Mares’ and a best price 9-4 for the Champion Hurdle.
Both races take place on Tuesday, March 11, the first day of the four-day Festival.
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