Latest news with #AintreeHurdle
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
State Man rules supreme in Champion Hurdle showdown
Despite suffering a second successive fall in the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill was a heavily-supported 8-13 favourite to get back on the winning trail on his first trip to Ireland, but he was a spent force from before the home turned and weakened rapidly out of contention. 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.'
Irish Independent
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Punchestown Day 4: State Man rules supreme as Constitution Hill disappoints in Champion Hurdle showdown
The Grade One contest staged a mouthwatering rematch between the Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson-trained superstars, who both fell in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with the presence of Jeremy Scott's eventual Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace adding further spice. Despite suffering a second successive fall in the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill was a heavily-supported 8-13 favourite to get back on the winning trail on his first trip to Ireland, but he was a spent force from before the home turned and weakened rapidly out of contention. 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. Willie Mullins' Final Demand stamped his class on the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle with an all-the-way success. A winner at the Dublin Racing Festival, he was sent off favourite for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but could only finish third behind The New Lion and The Yellow Clay. He faced Gordon Elliott's 5-4 favourite The Yellow Clay once again, but he took a heavy fall at the last when well held in third. In truth the race was over by the second-last as Paul Townend continued to wind up the pace in the final half-mile, with the 7-4 shot drawing further and further clear. 'It was an awesome performance over that trip,' said Mullins. 'Paul felt he didn't go fast enough in Cheltenham and he said to Caroline (Tisdall, owner) 'today I'm going to show him off'. 'I saw him jumping the first and second and I wasn't happy until he jumped the third that he was jumping well. ADVERTISEMENT 'Then he was electric over a few of his hurdles, for a big chaser to jump the way he did – he was getting lengths at his hurdles when it mattered. 'I thought he was going to tire around the fifth-last or fourth-last after the pace, but then he'd go down to the hurdle and just take a length out of a horse behind him. 'If you can jump fences like that he's one to look forward to.' When asked if he had schooled over fences, Mullins added: 'No, not at home. There will be time enough next autumn. He won his point-to-point so he's well able to jump. 'He's not a horse you'd want to stand on your foot! He's really one to look forward to.' Dinoblue followed up her Cheltenham success in even easier fashion in the Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase. Only four went to post for the Grade Two event and it was dominated by the two Mullins stablemates, Dinoblue (4-7 favourite) and Allegorie De Vassy. Allegorie De Vassy was a late faller at Cheltenham after being passed by Dinoblue and the time before had been beaten a neck by the same rival in the Opera Hat Chase. This time Townend laid it all out from early on and took a sizeable early lead, but Mark Walsh gradually reeled her in on Dinoblue and went away to win by 35 lengths. Mullins later confirmed the runner-up had run her last race. 'She was very good today. I was hoping that Allegorie might get her own back on her after Cheltenham, but it wasn't going to be that way today,' said Mullins. 'Allegorie is in foal to Jukebox Jury so she's retired now. 'Dinoblue looks to be getting better and better and hopefully we have her for next season. I don't see her going to stud for a while yet.' Frank Berry said, winning owner JP McManus' racing manager, said: 'You could set your clock by her every day. 'She jumped great and she's just a pleasure to have around. She never lets you down. 'I'd say it's her best year and she's maybe better than ever. 'She'll have another season. She'll stick to the mares' races. There is a good programme for them and it suits her well.'
RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
State Man records statement win at Punchestown as Constitution Hill flops
State Man produced a dominant front-running display to win his third Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, where Constitution Hill proved a huge disappointment in finishing a well-beaten fifth. The Grade One contest staged a mouthwatering rematch between the Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson-trained superstars, who both fell in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with the presence of Jeremy Scott's eventual Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace adding further spice. Despite suffering a second successive fall in the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill was a heavily-supported 8-13 favourite to get back on the winning trail on his first trip to Ireland, but he was a spent force from before the home turned and weakened rapidly out of contention. In contrast, 9-4 shot State Man – 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. State Man led from the front to beat the favourite, Constitution Hill, in the Boodles Champion Hurdle. #rteracing 📺 Watch: @rte2 & @rteplayer 📱 Results: — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 2, 2025 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. "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." Watch the Punchestown Festival from Tuesday to Saturday with RTÉ Sport. Coverage begins at 3.30pm for first three days and on Friday at 4pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch on Saturday from 3pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Irish Examiner
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
State Man rules supreme in Champion Hurdle showdown
State Man produced a dominant front-running display to win his third Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, where Constitution Hill proved a huge disappointment in finishing a well-beaten fifth. The Grade One contest staged a mouthwatering rematch between the Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson-trained superstars, who both fell in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with the presence of Jeremy Scott's eventual Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace adding further spice. Despite suffering a second successive fall in the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill was a heavily-supported 8-13 favourite to get back on the winning trail on his first trip to Ireland, but he was a spent force from before the home turned and weakened rapidly out of contention. 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.
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Constitution Hill heading to Ireland for Punchestown Champion Hurdle 'three-match'
Constitution Hill has been declared to run at the Punchestown Festival taking his place in a Champion Hurdle 'three-match'. The former champion, undefeated under rules up to the Cheltenham Festival, has a reputation to rebuild after falling in the Champion Hurdle and again when he ran in the Aintree Hurdle at the Grand National Festival. He has a chance to atone in Friday's Boodles Champion Hurdle in which his two main rivals will State Man and Golden Ace, bringing together the last three winners of the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle. State Man and Golden Ace were part of the other drama from this year's Cheltenham clash. Following Constitution Hill's early exit, the Willie Mullins 's trained State Man appeared to be coasting to victory until he crashed out at the final flight, presenting victory to the Jeremy Scott-trainer Golden Ace. Constitution Hill will be without regular jockey Nico de Boinville who was injured in a fall at Plumpton last week. In his absence James Bowen will ride the Nicky Henderson star for the first time in public. Bowen schooled Constitution Hill, 10-11 favourite for the six runner field which also includes County Hurdle winner Kargese, on Sunday. Henderson reported: 'Constitution Hill jumped four fences on our Canter Carpet schooling strip this morning with James Bowen on top. Everything went extremely well and I couldn't be happier with his condition. 'Nothing whatsoever should be read into the fact he schooled over fences, he is definitely not going down that route, but after discussing it with Nico, Michael, James and myself we decided this was the best thing to do. It was a brave decision but they are only baby fences and we hope it works.'
