Boodles Champion Hurdle
 horse racing tipster
Grade 1, Punchestown 18:00
 €300,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
2m, Class 1   
Friday 3rd May 2024

Boylesports

1 State Man 2/7F
2 Irish Point 7/2
3 Colonel Mustard 33/1
4 ran Distances: 2l, 20l, 2l
Time: 4m 4.70s (slow by 18.40s)

State Man, the seven-year-old trained by Willie Mullins, secured an impressive 10th Grade One victory by defeating his old rival Irish Point. This remarkable achievement capped off a perfect season for State Man, who had previously notched up wins at the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham.

During the race, Irish Point provided a strong challenge, but State Man, ridden by jockey Paul Townend, demonstrated superior form. As they approached the final flight, State Man’s impeccable jump secured a decisive advantage, allowing him to maintain control and win by two lengths. This victory marked his second consecutive win in the Boodles Champion Hurdle, solidifying his status as a dominant force in the racing world.

Willie Mullins praised State Man’s talent and consistency, emphasizing the horse’s uncomplicated nature and remarkable ability to perform under pressure. Looking ahead, State Man’s hurdling career continues, and fans can expect more thrilling races from this exceptional competitor.

“A few of them had run a little disappointing today and we were a bit worried going out,” said Mullins.

“We were wondering what tactics Jack would use and the game went according to how we thought it would go.

“He just did what he normally does, pulled it out when he needed to pull it out.

“Paul said there was a cameraman on the line and he stopped to have a look and prick his ears at him. That’s the sort of horse he is, he’s just got lots of talent and he keeps doing it, which is huge.

“He’s very uncomplicated, he’s uncomplicated in his stable, he’s an old pet.”

When asked about future plans, he added: “Hurdling now is his career.

“He’s come a long way. He was a nice one in the County Hurdle and he was a nice one in a maiden hurdle at Limerick for 7lb claiming riders!

“He’s very easy to do anything with, a lovely horse.

“Irish Point would be a fair test, and we thought he was going to make it a fair test. Paul said he was going to ride him like he’s the best horse and forget about everything else. That’s where Paul is very good, things don’t get to him.”

QuinnBet

Punchestown Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
€300,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Yielding

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    State Man 7 11-12 W P Mullins Paul Townend 2/7F
2 2 Irish Point 6 11-12 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 7/2
3 20 Colonel Mustard 9 11-12 Mrs Lorna Fowler J J Slevin 33/1
4 2 Sir Gerhard 9 11-12 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 22/1

QuinnBet

PAST RESULTS
Year Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP

2023 State Man 6 11-12 Mrs J Donnelly W P Mullins Paul Townend 2/5F
2022 Honeysuckle 7 11-07 Kenneth Alexander Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 1/5F
2021 Honeysuckle 7 11-07 Kenneth Alexander Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 4/7F
2020 Abandoned - Covid-19
2019 Buveur D'Air 8-11-12 John P McManus Nicky Henderson Davy Russell 2/1J
2018 Supasundae 8-11-12 Wicklow B’stock (Ire) Ltd Mrs J Harrington RM Power 12/1
2017 Wicklow Brave 8-11-12 Wicklow B’stock (Ire) Ltd Willie Mullins Mr Patrick Mullins 12/1
2016 Vroum Vroum Mag 7-11-5 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 4/6 Fav
2015 Faugheen 7-11-12 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 1/6 Fav
2014 Jezki 6-11-12 J P McManus Jessica Harrington A P McCoy 4/5 Fav
2013 Hurricane Fly 9-11-12 George Creighton & Rose Boyd Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 1/4 Fav
2012 Hurricane Fly 8-11-12 George Creighton & Rose Boyd Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 4/11 Fav
2011 Hurricane Fly 7-11-12 George Creighton & Rose Boyd Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 1/2 Fav
2010 Hurricane Fly 6-11-12 George Creighton & Rose Boyd Willie Mullins Paul Townend 3/1
2009 Solwhit 5-11-12 Top Of The Hill Syndicate Charles Byrnes Davy Russell 2/1 Jt Fav
2008 Punjabi 5-11-12 Raymond Tooth Nicky Henderson GB Barry Geraghty 2/1
2007 Silent Oscar 8-11-12 Patrick Convery Harry Rogers Robbie Power 20/1
2006 Macs Joy 7-11-12 Mac’s J Racing Jessica Harrington Barry Geraghty 11/4
2005 Brave Inca 7-11-12 Novices Syndicate Colm Murphy A P McCoy 2/1
2004 Hardy Eustace 7-11-12 Lar Byrne Dessie Hughes Conor O’Dwyer 3/1
2003 Quazar 5-11-13 David Carr Jonjo O’Neill GB Tony Dobbin 7/2
2002 Davenport Milenium 6-11-12 Mrs Noel O’Callaghan Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 11/2
*2001 Moscow Flyer 7-12-00 Brian Kearney Jessica Harrington Barry Geraghty 6/1
2000 Grimes 7-11-09 J P McManus Christy Roche Charlie Swan 6/1
1999 Istabraq 7-12-00 J P McManus Aidan O’Brien Charlie Swan 1/4 Fav
1998-96 No race
1995 Fortune And Fame 8-11-08 Michael Smurfit Dermot Weld Richard Dunwoody 4/7 Fav
1994 Fortune And Fame 7-11-08 Michael Smurfit Dermot Weld Brendan Sheridan 4/9 Fav
1993 Camden Buzz 5-11-05 Carmel Byrne Paddy Mullins Charlie Swan Evs Fav
* Run at Leopardstown

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