Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Boss Willie States his intentions
STATE MAN put himself firmly in the Champion Hurdle picture when producing a workmanlike display to land the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle in Punchestown yesterday.
The five-year-old, winner of a Grade 1 novice over course and distance in April, justified 4/9 favouritism to give Willie Mullins an 11th Morgiana win in 12 years, beating stablecompanions and previous winners of the race, Sharjah and Saldier, who had made the running.
“I’m very happy with him,” said Mullins (inset). “He got a good lead, was nicely keen and put the race to bed nicely. His jumping is probably not Champion Hurdle class, but he clearly has an engine – which is the key.
“He looked a bit burly today and he’s going to keep improving. Who knows how much he’ll improve ?
“He’ll probably need two more runs before Cheltenham, so he’ll probably go to Leopardstown at Christmas (the Matheson Hurdle) and then the
Irish Champion Hurdle.”