No date set yet for Brighterdaysahead’s fencing debut

Brighterdaysahead is still “a few weeks off running”, which seems likely to rule out an appearance at Fairyhouse’s Winter Festival next weekend.

A minor setback stopped Gordon Elliott’s highly-regarded mare making her intended bow over fences at Navan earlier this month, but the Cullentra House handler said at the time he hoped to have her back for Fairyhouse and that the issue was “nothing serious.”

Speaking on Thursday, Elliott said: “We’re still a few weeks off running, all being well, but we missed the other week and you know when you miss a week at this time of year, it just holds you up for a few weeks.

“I’m not so sure when you’ll see her at the moment.”

There will be plenty of excitement when Brighterdaysahead eventually makes her return, as despite her Grade One-winning exploits over hurdles chasing was always seen as the discipline that would be her forte.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned six-year-old is currently a best price of 5-1 for the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.