2.05 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (@AnaglogsDaughtr) (Grade 1) 2m 100y

Jesse Evans: Comfortable winner of Grade 3 Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle at Tipperary on his most recent start but struggled in heavy conditions back on the flat for November Handicap at Naas earlier this month. Back over hurdles this is a big step up in class.

Saldier: Struggled in staying hurdles last season and returns to two miles now, having won this contest in 2019. That was probably a soft renewal - Petit Mouchoir closest to him - and he has struggled in top grade two-mile hurdles thereafter. On the plus side, a return to this course should help and he has gone well fresh in the past before.

Sharjah: Feels like this six-time Grade 1 winner has been around forever but he’s still only nine and though five of his top level triumphs have come at Leopardstown, the other two have come here, having won this contest 12 months ago. That three-runner affair wasn’t form to write home about but he got the job done, as he usually does, and though his more fancied stablemate will be the focus for many, he cannot be written off.

State Man: Fall on hurdles debut at Christmas was probably blessing in disguise as only had time for one more run which stopped him from increasing his rating and enticed connections to go down the handicap route at Cheltenham. He duly bolted up off 141 in the County Hurdle and then took his Grade 1 for good measure over an extended two miles and three furlongs at the festival here in April. That is good form, with lots of hype about the runner-up Flame Bearer, and it’s significant he has been allowed to take his chance here instead of his stablemates and fellow Cheltenham winners Vauban and Sir Gerhard.

Teahupoo: Won twice among his own age group on first two starts last season before prompting Champion Hurdle claims with smooth win in Grade 3 Red Mills Hurdle. He was found out badly, however, at Cheltenham and then Punchestown. That isn’t a disgrace for a five-year-old and he could well improve again this season but he’ll need to show it before you could consider playing him for a race like this.

Conclusion

This isn’t the race it was shaping up to be but even though Willie Mullins has only declared three of his six intended runners, he’s still long odds-on to make it 11 wins in 12 years. State Man is probably the only viable Champion Hurdle contender and Sharjah will provide a stern test of those credentials. At the time of writing State Man is a shade of odds against which makes him the marginal call.