State Man and Paul Townend wins for owners Joe and Marie Donnelly and trainer Willie Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
State Man proved himself to be a genuine contender for the 2023 Champion Hurdle when putting up a polished display to land the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
Winner of the County Hurdle at last years festival, the five-year-old then stepped up to Grade 1 company for the first time when easily landing a Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April.
That performance quite rightly marked him down as a leading Champion Hurdle prospect but he still needed to step out of novice grade and prove his worth.
There was certainly no mistaking his ability to do just that, as the Willie Mullins trained gelding led after the second last and kept on strongly to see off previous winner Sharjah
“I was delighted with that, it was a nice start to the season,” said Willie Mullins.
“The race worked out perfectly for him and Paul asked him a nice question down over the last two hurdles.
“Sharjah had been working well at home and he put him to bed when Paul asked him.
“We wanted to get a good run into him. If he's going to go down the Champion Hurdle route he needs to be asked those questions.
“He was nicely keen in behind Saldier he got a good lead and did everything that was asked. Thankfully all the hurdles were left in and he got a bit of practice because he needed it.
“He's probably not Champion Hurdle class jumping-wise yet but that will come in a bigger field with more competition.
“I think there is plenty of improvement left in him.
“Looking at that I don't think Henry, Michael Buckley or Nicky Henderson will be too worried but we're going to improve too and I think he is the horse that has improvement in him.”
When asked if he was ready to tackle Honeysuckle he added:- “We'll be ready when we're ready!
“She's obviously going to Fairyhouse and we won't go there. I don't know whether we'll meet before the Champion Hurdle.
“Hopefully we'll all get there, that's the main thing.
“We'll try and build him up slowly and have enough experience by the time we get to Cheltenham.
“I'm looking at Christmas and the Dublin Racing Festival with him. We'll keep him going, get experience into him and harden him up.”
Paddy Power go 6/1(from 8/1) about State Man for the Champion Hurdle
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
