Chanelle Pharma Irish

Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

SO much for absence making the heart grow fonder. State Man has been seen triple the amount of times this season as Constitution Hill and might now be belatedly earning the level of respect he deserves after a sparkling second win in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.

In delivering his trademark no-nonsense type of performance - powering five and a half lengths clear of a resurgent Bob Olinger - he joined a stellar group of multiple winners of this €200,000 prize, including Istabraq, Hurricane Fly, Brave Inca and Honeysuckle.

Impaire Et Passe, who had no answers to State Man’s turn of foot when ridden off the pace in the Matheson in December, was tried with more prominent tactics but didn’t appear to enjoy leading and put in his most disappointing showing yet. Bob Olinger travelled into the race with purpose from behind but ultimately came up short against the 2/5 favourite.

Willie Mullins was notching his eighth win in Ireland’s two-mile hurdling highlight of the season, while Paul Townend - sporting the colours of Joe and Marie Donnelly - was celebrating his third triumph in the race.

On a stunning weekend for the Closutton magician, State Man made it eight Mullins-trained winners in the Dublin Racing Festival’s eight Grade 1 contests.

“I’m delighted for my owners and my staff,” said the champion trainer.

“It’s extraordinary, everything has come together. We have tremendous owners that invest in Irish racing and they love it. It’s tremendous to have people like that bringing in money from abroad to put into Irish racing. We’re the beneficiaries and we’re very lucky.

Bombproof temperament

“State Man is a lovely racehorse. Himself, Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File and El Fabiolo have beautiful temperaments and that’s what you need, it’s half the battle in a horse.

“It means the trainer can train them the way he wants to and the jockey can ride them the way he wants to. It makes life a lot easier for people involved.”

Did Mullins believe this represented a career-best performance from the now eight-time Grade 1 winner?

“I thought Christmas was his best performance up until today,” he said.

“Today’s race was different; we tried something different with Impaire Et Passe but he obviously didn’t enjoy being out in front. I think he’ll take a lead and maybe he needs another half mile, obviously he needs fences down the road.”

It says something about how the season has unfolded for the top two in the Unibet Champion Hurdle market that State Man is priced up at 11/4 with several firms for the race - shorter than when gearing up for his first meeting with Constitution Hill in last year’s contest. He was sent off 7/2 when on that occasion when on the receiving end of a nine-length hammering.

“State Man is going to go to the Champion Hurdle in tip-top order and it’s all to play for,” said Mullins.

“I’m sure they’re not too worried and they’re going to be confident enough that they have enough in the locker to beat us no matter what we do. I don’t think there will be too many runners in it and a change of tactics might make all the difference.”

On Bob Olinger’s respectable second at 11/1, Henry de Bromhead said: “We were delighted with how he ran. I had a little dream for a second when he looked up turning in, but State Man is such a good horse. I’d say we’ll aim for Aintree now.”