It was an effortless performance from Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead to take a landmark Grade 1 victory in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday.

The novice hurdle races at the Cheltenham Festival remain a mystery following a media morning at Willie Mullins’ yard on Monday, with the master of Closutton reluctant to make any decisions about where his young stars will head.

High-class novice hurdling prospects Ile Atlantique and Firefox look set to do battle in the eagerly anticipated rearranged Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle at Naas on Friday.

High-class novice hurdling prospects Ile Atlantique and Firefox look set to do battle in the eagerly anticipated rearranged Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle at Naas on Friday.