Jade De Grugy won the SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, eclipsing Brighterdaysahead.

Brighterdaysahead (6/4) was uneasy in the betting on her first start since disappointing at Cheltenham (non-runner at Aintree since), resulting in Jade De Grugy being sent off the even money favourite.

Wyenot jumped out in front under Harry Cobden, followed by Brighterdaysahead with Jade De Grugy just in behind but Paul Townend wasn’t happy with the pace and was soon contesting the lead.

The big two were clear of the field jumping three out with Jade De Grugy in front jumping two out where Sam Ewing gave Brighterdaysahead a shake of the reins. Ewing quickly became more animated in the saddle, giving his mare a reminder but the response was limited with only the briefest glimmer that Brighterdaysahead might rally.

In contrast, Townend was sitting still in front as they approached the last which Jade De Grugy cleared in style before being pushed out to win by six and a half lengths.

A tired looking Brighterdaysahead was passed for second by Gala Marceau to complete a one-two for trainer Willie Mullins and owner Kenny Alexander.

Jade De Grugy has now won six of her eight starts with the two defeats coming at the Cheltenham Festival, latterly when chasing home stablemate Lossiemouth in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.

“Harry’s mare didn’t really seem to be enjoying it in front,” explained Townend, “so I slipped through with a lap to go and was able to set the fractions myself and was able to pull the trigger when I wanted.

“She stays well. She’s a good mare. She really enjoys jumping and is nice and relaxed so you can set the fractions you want. She ran a cracker [at Cheltenham] and Lossiemouth is a fair yardstick to be going off; it’s lovely to have her as a back-up.

“You’d be entitled to think so and hope so [that she’s improving]. I suppose our finest hour wasn’t in Cheltenham on her last year [2024] and we learned about her and she stays well so we make a bit more use of her.

“We’re glad to have her and she’s plenty of size and scope about her too so she’s options.”

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