Willie’s opening-day treble as State Man is just Champion
» STATE Man justified short-priced favouritism to take the Unibet Champion Hurdle, part of a first-day treble for Willie Mullins and jockeypaul Townend.
The seven-year-old enjoyed an untroubled passage through the race on the inside rail and when he kicked for home only Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point could go with him, but it was State Man who held the upper hand to go one better than last year by a length and a quarter.
Mullins said: “It’s very very nice to have a treble on the first day. Of course we’re in a position where we are bringing a big team across, but they have to win and after the Supreme I was worried that it was going to be a day like it was on the first day a few years ago when we had no winners.
“Of course I’m very happy with the day, I can enjoy the rest of the week now.”
Elsewhere, Lossiemouth was a straightforward winner of the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.
The top-class five-year-old grey is trained by Mullins in the colours of Rich Ricci, and Townend never had any reason for concern at any stage riding the 8-13 favourite in a field of 11.
Townend was a picture of patience, allowing others to make the running before cruising through to sweep up the hill to an unchallenged success from T el me something girl aboard a mare who had been talked of as a possible
Champion Hurdle contender after her scintillating win on Trials day in January.
Mullins said: “She was great - she’s a Champion Hurdle mare, we all think. Once again, Paul was very cool on her and she can improve another year on, when she’s a bit older. Running like that, in that ground, she’s got everything.
“We made the right decision (not to go for the Champion Hurdle this year). She didn’t get a grueller like if she’d been in the Champion Hurdle, she’s only five and getting a grueller in the Champion Hurdle is not what you want.”
Gaelic Warrior had started the treble, coming out on top in the My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase.
Twice runner-up on his previous Festival visits, the Rich Ricci-owned bay was one of three Mullins-trained contenders in the race and was partnered by first choice jockey Paul Townend.
Having stayed out of trouble throughout, despite the Gordon Elliott-trained Found A Fifty looking dangerous Gaelic Warrior was cruising in behind and powered up the hill to canter to an easy victory as the 2-1 favourite. Another Mullins runner, Il Etait Temps, took third.
Mullins said of his winner, who was wellbeaten when unseating Townend at the Dublin Racing Festival: “You could see what difference a hood made to him. He wasn’t trying to jump right and Paul could ride a race on him.
“I thought coming down the hill ‘what was I doing running him over three miles last season when he has that speed’. I think he has enough class now to do two miles and he’ll probably stick to that game now, although you could push him out to the Ryanair distance as well. He’s very adaptable.”