State Man proved himself against the odds by winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
State Man, who is trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, was sent off in the absence of last year’s winner Constitution Hill, who won the 12-month Defeated an Irish challenger before.
State Man performed well throughout and although the Irish Corner kept him honest all the way to the line, Mullins’ charge ended up winning convincingly by a quarter length.
Luccia, with trainer Nicky Henderson of Constitution Hill, performed well to finish third.
Mullins said: “I was surprised by the way Paul rode him, I thought he was going to be further up the front, I didn’t expect him to be fifth or sixth in the fourth to last race. But he just rode with incredible Confidence rides him.
“I thought he would use his stamina more, but Paul seemed to be riding him for speed today and he clearly felt there was enough power on the ground to take it away from the horse in front of him.
“But when jockeys ride with confidence they can do things like this and I feel like that’s the way he’s been riding all season. He’s a great jockey.”
Asked whether Cheltenham was truly suited to his role and whether Constitution Hill would be a big challenger, Mullins added: “He’s probably a better horse around Leopardstown. , but he was the Champion Hurdle Champion. You have to turn up to win the Champion Hurdle – and we turned up.”
