AN impressive win by State Man (5/4) in Sunday’s Irish Champion Hurdle should have been followed by a reception similar to that received by Galopin Des Champs the previous day, but Lossiemouth’s sixth-flight fall cast a slight shadow over her stablemate’s victory.

Willie Mullins’ star mare was sent off favourite and made all under Danny Mullins, while stablemate State Man followed closely under Paul Townend. The pair set a brisk pace, racing clear of their three rivals, and in those early stages, there was no indication that one held the upper hand. That was until Lossiemouth crashed out at the sixth flight.

Thankfully, both emerged unscathed, but her misfortune must have loomed to the fore of Townend’s mind as he approaching the last with a clear advantage. State Man got over it safely and went on to win by six and a half lengths, unchallenged, as Daddy Long Legs kept on to completed a 1-2 for owner Mrs Donnelly. Winter Fog finished a further nine lengths back to, making it a 1-2-3 for Willie Mullins.

“I was very, very lucky not to be brought down,” Paul Townend reflected after the race. “It was going to be a match and we don't know what would have happened, but take nothing away from State Man. He can only do what he does.”

Townend had remained loyal to State Man following a disappointing run behind the hugely impressive Brighterdaysahead over Christmas, and after their 15th consecutive race together, the rider confirmed the chesnut was back to his best.

“I don't know what the times were saying, what speeds we were doing compared to Christmas around, but he felt better in himself today.”

It marked a hat-trick of Irish Champion Hurdle wins for State Man, for whom it was also an 11th Grade 1 win and brought his earnings past the €1.7million mark.