State Man rules supreme in Champion Hurdle showdown
State Man following his Champion Hurdle win at Punchestown (PA)
In contrast, State Man (9-4) – who looked to have a second Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham at his mercy when crashing out at the final obstacle at Prestbury Park in mid-March – continued to pour it on in front under Paul Townend and came home with four and three-quarter lengths in hand over Golden Ace.
Mullins said: 'It's the performance we always thought he had in him. In fairness to Constitution Hill, I don't think he turned up on the day. It's very hard to travel from England after having two falls and things just didn't go right for him.
'Our fella has run his true race and that's been a constant thing in his racing life, he always turns up and runs his race. It was a huge performance.
A jubilant Paul Townend and Willie Mullins with the big-race trophy (Brian Lawless/PA)
'He's just very genuine without ever being flashy. I think the cheekpieces have made him a bit flashier than he used to be. He's a lazy horse and cheekpieces just help him.
'Paul has been adamant about this horse for the last few years, people are going on about Lossiemouth and State Man – he's always thought State Man every day of the week and it's been proven.
'I think we were all waiting for this contest and it delivered. We're just delighted.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
6 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Cesarewitch next port of call for East India Dock
James Owen's dual-purpose star was third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and wasted little time securing a valuable prize on the level when scooping the Chester Cup in May. Having felt another prestigious event went begging when sixth in the Northumberland Plate, Owen has his eye on the historic Newmarket marathon on October 11 before switching focus back to timber, where he will have an exciting new target. 'East India Dock has had a small break and is now back in and we'll aim at the Cesarewitch with him,' said Owen. 'He'll go straight there. 'I feel we missed a chance in the Northumberland Plate and the ground may have been on the lively side for him at Ascot, but Newcastle was our chance. 'It was one of his best runs on figures, but annoyingly he didn't get a great run round, he got caught wide and shuffled to the back of the field. 'A great big pot on home turf, when hopefully by then they will have had a bit of rain, we think will be ideal and then back over hurdles we will campaign him as a Stayers' Hurdle horse – I'm sure he will stay well and he gives himself every chance to.' While East India Dock has key business on the Flat to attend to before changing tack, Owen has already identified the hurdling starting point for stablemate and fellow dual-purpose performer Burdett Road. Newcastle's Fighting Fifth Hurdle has been pencilled in as the first stop for the Champion Hurdle runner-up over timber, whose season once again will be geared around an appearance in the Cheltenham Festival's opening day showpiece. 'Burdett Road's having a nice break and we might give him one prep run on the Flat before going for the Fighting Fifth,' continued Owen. 'He'll take the Champion Hurdle route again and will be running in all the big two-mile hurdle races en route to Cheltenham. 'He did very well last year and it will be very tough again, but he's entitled to be in all those big races and hopefully he can be very competitive in them.'
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
Cesarewitch next port of call for East India Dock
James Owen's dual-purpose star was third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and wasted little time securing a valuable prize on the level when scooping the Chester Cup in May. Having felt another prestigious event went begging when sixth in the Northumberland Plate, Owen has his eye on the historic Newmarket marathon on October 11 before switching focus back to timber, where he will have an exciting new target. 'East India Dock has had a small break and is now back in and we'll aim at the Cesarewitch with him,' said Owen. 'He'll go straight there. 'I feel we missed a chance in the Northumberland Plate and the ground may have been on the lively side for him at Ascot, but Newcastle was our chance. 'It was one of his best runs on figures, but annoyingly he didn't get a great run round, he got caught wide and shuffled to the back of the field. 'A great big pot on home turf, when hopefully by then they will have had a bit of rain, we think will be ideal and then back over hurdles we will campaign him as a Stayers' Hurdle horse – I'm sure he will stay well and he gives himself every chance to.' While East India Dock has key business on the Flat to attend to before changing tack, Owen has already identified the hurdling starting point for stablemate and fellow dual-purpose performer Burdett Road. Newcastle's Fighting Fifth Hurdle has been pencilled in as the first stop for the Champion Hurdle runner-up over timber, whose season once again will be geared around an appearance in the Cheltenham Festival's opening day showpiece. 'Burdett Road's having a nice break and we might give him one prep run on the Flat before going for the Fighting Fifth,' continued Owen. 'He'll take the Champion Hurdle route again and will be running in all the big two-mile hurdle races en route to Cheltenham. 'He did very well last year and it will be very tough again, but he's entitled to be in all those big races and hopefully he can be very competitive in them.'
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Cesarewitch next port of call for East India Dock
James Owen's dual-purpose star was third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and wasted little time securing a valuable prize on the level when scooping the Chester Cup in May. Having felt another prestigious event went begging when sixth in the Northumberland Plate, Owen has his eye on the historic Newmarket marathon on October 11 before switching focus back to timber, where he will have an exciting new target. 'East India Dock has had a small break and is now back in and we'll aim at the Cesarewitch with him,' said Owen. 'He'll go straight there. East India Dock ridden has excelled in both codes (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA) 'I feel we missed a chance in the Northumberland Plate and the ground may have been on the lively side for him at Ascot, but Newcastle was our chance. 'It was one of his best runs on figures, but annoyingly he didn't get a great run round, he got caught wide and shuffled to the back of the field. 'A great big pot on home turf, when hopefully by then they will have had a bit of rain, we think will be ideal and then back over hurdles we will campaign him as a Stayers' Hurdle horse – I'm sure he will stay well and he gives himself every chance to.' While East India Dock has key business on the Flat to attend to before changing tack, Owen has already identified the hurdling starting point for stablemate and fellow dual-purpose performer Burdett Road. Burdett Road will head to Newcastle when the jumps season begins (Mike Egerton/PA) Newcastle's Fighting Fifth Hurdle has been pencilled in as the first stop for the Champion Hurdle runner-up over timber, whose season once again will be geared around an appearance in the Cheltenham Festival's opening day showpiece. 'Burdett Road's having a nice break and we might give him one prep run on the Flat before going for the Fighting Fifth,' continued Owen. 'He'll take the Champion Hurdle route again and will be running in all the big two-mile hurdle races en route to Cheltenham. 'He did very well last year and it will be very tough again, but he's entitled to be in all those big races and hopefully he can be very competitive in them.'
