Matheson Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Leopardstown 14:20 €150,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1  |
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1 State Man 4/7F
2
Impaire Et Passe 7/4
3
Echoes In Rain 18/1
4 ran Distances: 3¼l, 8l, 11l
Time: 3m 55.60s (slow by 10.60s)
State Man is just so good!
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) December 29, 2023
Back-to-back @MathesonLaw Hurdles secured in style as he holds off stablemate Impaire Et Passe for a seventh G1 win 🤩#LRCChristmas | @PTownend | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/ZTCAHZm72M
State Man further solidified his position as the primary contender to Constitution Hill by displaying superior strength, defeating stablemate Impaire Et Passe. State Man remains undefeated when completing races over obstacles in Ireland and boasts victories in the Morgiana Hurdle, Matheson Hurdle, Irish Champion Hurdle, and Punchestown Champion Hurdle from the previous season.
Although State Man faced a setback against Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, he commenced the new campaign successfully by retaining his Morgiana crown. The emergence of Impaire Et Passe, a formidable rival from the same stable, added a new dimension to State Man's competition. Impaire Et Passe, with a flawless record as a novice hurdler last season, including Grade One wins at Cheltenham and Punchestown, presented a significant challenge.
Entering the Matheson Hurdle, State Man, the 4-7 favorite for consecutive wins, demonstrated his superiority over Impaire Et Passe around the home turn, taking over from the long-time leader Fils D’Oudairies. Despite Impaire Et Passe responding to jockey Daryl Jacob's urgings, State Man navigated the final flight securely and maintained a comfortable lead, winning by three and a quarter lengths under Paul Townend's guidance.
Following the outcome, QuinnBet adjusted State Man's Champion Hurdle odds to 4-1 from 5-1, while also revising Constitution Hill's price to 1-3 from 2-5. Impaire Et Passe's odds were extended to 12-1 from 5-1 by the same bookmaker.
Matheson Hurdle
2m, €150,000 guaranteed
4 ran
Going: Soft to Heavy
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 State Man 6 11-12 W P Mullins Paul Townend 4/7F
2 3¼ Impaire Et Passe 5 11-12 W P Mullins Daryl Jacob 7/4
3 8 Echoes In Rain 7 11-5 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 18/1
4 11 Fils D'Oudairies 8 11-12 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 28/1
