State Man lacks 'wow' factor but success helps Mullins close in on century

There was, as Willie Mullins conceded, no "wow" about State Man in the Champion Hurdle here yesterday, but on the softest ground on the Festival's opening day for many years, even the much-missed defending champion, Constitution Hill, might have struggled to find his usual turn of foot.

- Greg Wood

In his absence, State Man turned up and, like the grafter he is, he got the job done, carving out a one-and-a-quarterlength victory over Irish Point that was a little more convincing than the margin might suggest.

State Man was to some extent on a hiding to nothing, as he set off at 2-5 on ground that was expected to suit several rivals, and the strong stayer Irish Point in particular. Paul Townend, his jockey, was happy to sit a few lengths back as Not So Sleepy cut out the early running, and having moved smoothly into contention off the home turn, he jumped and quickened past Irish Point at last to put the race to bed.

It was enough to take the title, but not enough to make State Man even the second-favourite for next year's Champion Hurdle by the end of the day, as his stable companion, Lossiemouth, moved past him in the ante-post betting with an emphatic success in the Mares' Hurdle just 40 minutes later. State Man is, however, as dependable as they come, and that alone makes him an essential part of the Mullins machine.

"It went very smoothly," the trainer said. "Paul rode him with so much confidence. I was concerned that he was a little far back if he made a mistake or anything, in this ground.