'He's pretty good, isn't he?' - super State Man now 8-1 for 2023 Champion Hurdle

Friday: Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, Punchestown

On a day when Willie Mullins notched his 200th win of the season, the Closutton maestro emerged from Punchestown with a fresh Champion Hurdle prospect in the form of State Man.

The Marie Donnelly-owned five-year-old added his name to an illustrious roll of honour in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle, which includes Istabraq and Vautour, and although he was beating only four rivals, he ground them into submission with a commanding performance under Paul Townend to land his first Grade 1 in front of a record attendance of 40,984.

State Man fell on his hurdles debut at Leopardstown in December, but he made amends a few weeks later to open his account when running away with a Limerick maiden.

He has since brought his form to new heights, and he backed up his impressive County Hurdle success with an even better one here.

The winner is now a best-priced 8-1 for the 2023 Champion Hurdle, and Mullins believes that is the way to go.

"We're now leaning towards the Champion Hurdle route. Paul thought he had plenty of speed, he showed he had lots of gears there," he said.

Townend gets a hug from owner Marie Donnelly in the winner's enclosureCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins, who was winning the race for a sixth time in nine years, added: "He's a horse to really look forward to for next season. I think we can see now he's a Grade 1 horse, but he has to step forward into open company and prove himself, but he's exciting.

"Paul came in and told us he was never worried. He was just concentrating on keeping him settled, and when he picked him up he said he just switched gears, and he was only going through the motions after that."

It was not until the closing stages where the race began to take shape. Patrick Mullins had set a good early pace on Kilcruit, but his mount gave way two from home to Flame Bearer and Three Stripe Life, who in turn were sitting ducks for State Man to pick off.

Leading jockey for the week Townend was in cruise control and loomed up on the outside approaching the final flight to take over. He was a passenger on board a turbojet who ignited into overdrive once he was in control, and powered away impressively for a seven-length success.

Donnelly, who also won this race last year with Gaillard Du Mesnil, said: "He's pretty good, isn't he? It was kind of magical watching him there. I was scared for a little while because Paul seemed to be holding back, but he just took off like a rocket, so it was pretty good."

State Man may not have arrived in Closutton at the start of the season as a future Champion Hurdle contender, but he most certainly is now.

Watch State Man's impressive success at Punchestown

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