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Willie Mullins claimed a fourth Champion Hurdle on Tuesday afternoon following State Man's victory in the feature two-mile Grade 1.
The unfortunate absence of Constitution Hill seemingly left the door wide open for last year's runner-up State Man, who was sent off the 2/5 favourite to go one spot better this time around.
It may have seemed a straightforward task on paper but as Willie Mullins said in his post-race interview "you've got to turn up to win a Champion Hurdle."
Kingwell Hurdle winner Nemean Lion and Not So Sleepy were both keen to cut out the early running, whilst all the while Paul Townend looked more than content to bide his time down towards the inside rail.
Switched out towards the centre of the track turning for home, it soon became apparent that this was a two-horse race. Gordon Elliott's Irish Point attempted to stick with the now nine-time Grade 1 winner, but Townend had plenty up his sleeve and State Man always looked to be keeping the grey at bay, going on for a snug one-and-a-quarter length victory.
Luccia ran a career-best back in third for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey James Bowen.
"I was amazed with the way Paul rode him, I thought he'd be much more forward," said Mullins, who was speaking for the media for the second time today following Gaelic Warrior's Arkle success.
"I didn't dream that he'd only be fifth or sixth jumping the fourth-last. But he just rode him with supreme confidence."
"I thought he'd make more use of his stamina, but Paul seemed to ride him for speed today and he clearly felt there was enough in the ground to take it out of the horses in front of him.
"But when jockeys are riding with confidence, they can do things like that, and I feel that's the way he's been riding all season. He's a fantastic jockey."
It was a breakthrough success in the two-mile feature for jockey Paul Townend, "He's a simple horse to ride," explained the Closutton number one rider.
"He's a champion back at home. Constitution Hill was too good for him last year, but he deserved his day in the sun."
"On the ground, I probably could have waited a bit longer, but I never doubted his stamina either. He's an old favourite of mine and deserved a big day like this."
Paddy Power left State Man unchanged at 3/1 for next year's Champion Hurdle. Constitution Hill remains the 2/1 favourite for the two-mile feature next season, but when asked if his stable star might be ready to take on State Man before the end of the campaign, Henderson replied: "I don't know. At least he was ridden out with the others this morning, which was nice to see. He came out with the other horses for the first time this morning, but we've got a long, long way to go."