OUT TO MAKE A STATEMENT

Mullins’ star can cement place as the country’s finest hurdler

BY

STATE MAN should prove his status as Ireland’s premier twomile hurdler by repeating last year’s win in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle in Leopardstown tomorrow.

Joe and Marie Donnelly’s sevenyear-old (above) has come a long way since falling two from home on his Irish debut at Leopardstown’s 2021 Christmas meeting, progressing to win the County at Cheltenham less than three months later, off a mark of 141, before proving himself at Grade 1 level.

Tomorrow, he’ll bid for an eighth top-level success, renewing rivalry with stable-companions Impaire Et Passe and Echoes In Rain, his immediate victims on his last two starts, and facing a rejuvenated Bob Olinger.

Convincing conqueror of the mighty Honeysuckle in this race last year, State Man’s only defeat in 10 completed starts over flights came when, probably a bit below par, he was readily brushed aside by Constitution Hill in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last March.

The Willie Mullins-trained Doctor Dino gelding, who went on to win the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, is on course for another clash with Nicky Henderson’s star in little more than five weeks at Prestbury Park.

And his preparation has gone smoothly, making a successful return to action in the Morgiana at Punchestown (beat Echoes In Rain comfortably) before completing back-to-back wins in the Matheson over this course and distance.

On that occasion, he kept classy stable-companion Impaire Et Passe, dropping back to two miles, at bay by three and a quarter lengths, with Echoes In rain and Fils D’oudairies well held in third and fourth. And I see no reason why State Man won’t confirm that form tomorrow.

Impaire Et Passe, winner of the Ballymore at Cheltenham and the Alanna Homes at Punchestown, is a formidable opponent.

He was squeezed for room briefly turning for home, but was near enough to State Man going to the last to deliver a meaningful challenge.

But State Man kept finding and picking-up all the way up the straight and won readily.

The tactics of this five-runner affair will be fascinating. But State Man can do it either way – he can dictate things or take a lead – and will be very tough to beat.

Adding spice to the Champion Hurdle recipe is the presence of Bob Olinger, successful twice at Grade 1 level as a novice hurdler and once over fences, but below par last season (didn’t race after January).

But Bob has bounced back in recent months, winning the Lismullen at Navan on his return and following-up by slamming solid yardstick Marie’s Rock in the Relkeel at Cheltenham.

Both of those successes were achieved over two and a half miles. And, tomorrow, he reverts to the minimum trip, against the best two-mile hurdler in Ireland.

He faces a tough task, but is officially rated just 1lb below Impaire Et Passe and 8lb below State Man.

And it’ll be intriguing to see how Rachael Blackmore plays her cards – does she let the nine-year-old bowl along in front or hold him up and try to pounce late?