Don't let your heart rule your head - back State Man to beat Honeysuckle
All of your hearts might say Honeysuckle but my head is screaming State Man and he is unquestionably the banker of the Dublin Racing Festival in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (3.10) at Leopardstown on Sunday.
It is entirely possible Honeysuckle’s best days are behind her and, even if they aren’t, there is no guarantee she would be able to take care of State Man anyway. Last year’s impressive County Hurdle winner has made giant strides this term by winning the Morgiana and Matheson Hurdles in emphatic fashion and in any normal season I would be making him a stonking bet in the big one next month. This is no normal season, though, and Constitution Hill is no normal rival.
Vauban is the one I want to oppose most on Sunday. Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner has a lot of ground to make up on State Man from their Christmas clash and I cannot envisage that form being reversed under any circumstances.
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Published on 3 February 2023inJohnny Dineen
Last updated 17:43, 3 February 2023
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