Confirmed runners and riders for Thursday's Matheson Hurdle - plus a free bet

Sharjah will face four rivals, including Willie Mullins stablemates State Man and Vauban, as he attempts to eclipse Hurricane Fly and Istabraq and become the first five-time winner of the Matheson Hurdle (2.20) at Leopardstown on Thursday.

The Christmas stalwart had been preparing for a rematch with rising star State Man, who he lost out to in last month's Morgiana Hurdle, and he will also take on last season's Triumph Hurdle winner Vauban.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Pied Piper and mare She Is Electric complete the line-up.

Sharjah has won the last four runnings of the Matheson Hurdle with Patrick Mullins in the saddle and Paul Townend continues his association with State Man, the second favourite for the Champion Hurdle behind Christmas Hurdle winner Constitution Hill.

All of the field have run this season apart from Vauban, who makes his first start in open company after proving to be last season's leading juvenile hurdler with Grade 1 wins at the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham Festival and Punchestown festival.

With Vauban, who will be ridden by Danny Mullins for the first time, and Pied Piper taking up the option at Leopardstown, it leaves a match for the same day's Grade 2 Coolmore NH Sires Kew Gardens Hurdle (1.30) with Brazil taking on No Looking Back.

In the day's other Grade 1 at Leopardstown, Mighty Potter and Gaillard Du Mesnil, the first two home in this month's Drinmore Novice Chase, renew rivalry in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase (1.45).

As well as Mighty Potter, Elliott saddles Three Stripe Life, who was pulled up following a bad mistake when sent off favourite in the Drinmore, and Frontal Assault.

Amirite, Barnacullia, Churchstonewarrior and Unexpected Depth make up the eight-strong field.

The Grade 3 BeattheBank.ie Irish EBF Mares Hurdle (1.10) at Leopardstown has attracted six runners headed by Queens Brook and Shewearsitwell.

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Matheson Hurdle runners and riders

Pied PiperJack Kennedy
SharjahPatrick Mullins
State ManPaul Townend
VaubanDanny Mullins
She Is ElectricRobbie Geoghegan

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