'We'll be praying for rain at Cheltenham' - State Man dispatches stablemate Impaire Et Passe for seventh Grade 1 win

State Man fulfilled his role as the irresistible force to Constitution Hill's immovable object by dismissing Impaire Et Passe with all of his trademark cool to secure back-to-back Matheson Hurdles in routine fashion. 

This decisive three-and-a-quarter-length triumph over his classy year-younger stablemate was every bit as straightforward as it was supposed to be according to the market, which saw the winner return a 4-7 starting price to the runner-up's 7-4. However, it feels like we've begun to damn State Man with faint praise by reducing his exploits to the mere formalities of a model pro. 

In most eras he would be a generational talent. Remember, he has yet to turn seven years of age but this was his seventh Grade 1. Istabraq and Constitution Hill can boast the same record, yet Hurricane Fly and Kauto Star can't. That gives you an idea of the rarefied space he occupies, but his misfortune is to share the same orbit as the Seven Barrows centaur. 

"He just keeps doing it," Mullins said of Closutton's understated hero. "That's what I love about him, and I think he has improved since last year. He'll need to if he's going to tackle Constitution Hill but I really liked the way he did it today. Impaire Et Passe was sitting in behind and you'd think he could be a faster horse, but State Man quickened three times up that straight, and that's fair going in that ground."

State Man and Paul Townend win the Matheson Hurdle at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann

Fils D'Oudairies set a strong gallop and his tendency to jump right was the only real complicating factor for Paul Townend on State Man, as it slightly dictated when he could challenge. He had followed the leader at a safe distance and eventually jumped into the inside gap two-out, tracked all the while by Impaire Et Passe, who pursued in his slipstream down the straight.

When Echoes In Rain yielded, Daryl Jacob brought last season's Ballymore victor out to challenge, but he was never getting there. Townend didn't even resort to his whip. Given the deep ground – soft to heavy officially – the way he swatted away such a talented animal with so little fuss was remarkable.

State Man was trimmed to 4-1 (from 5) by Paddy Power to atone for last year's Champion Hurdle defeat – his sole reversal in ten completed starts for Mullins – in March. 

"These testing conditions might really suit State Man, so we'll be praying for rain at Cheltenham," Mullins said. He confirmed after his 11th win in the €150,000 feature that State Man would likely return to bid for a second Irish Champion Hurdle in February, while he will wait before deciding whether to stay at two miles with Impaire Et Passe or look to the Stayers' Hurdle.

"He's bred to stay, he won over two-five at Cheltenham last season and I don't think it will be a problem for him," he said. "But he'd be there or thereabouts coming around the last bend in a Champion Hurdle, and who knows what's going to happen between now and March. We'll keep all options open."

State Man makes Townend purr like few other horses. He has a genuine affinity with Joe and Marie Donnelly's chestnut, and the decision to stick with him here wasn't one he agonised over. 

"He gave me no reason not to ride him," Townend said. "He set the standard and if I was standing in the number-two spot watching State Man win with someone else on him it would have hurt a lot more than if it was the other way around."

He added: "He's a very good horse, and he tries – I never even had to give him a slap. I couldn't believe the gears he found up the straight today." 

Jacob confirmed Impaire Et Passe simply ran into a special talent. There were mitigating circumstances when Teahupoo mastered the horse in the Hatton's Grace, but this was definitive. "No excuses," Jacob said. "State Man basically had one gear too many for me. A better horse has beaten me."

It's hard to believe there is one out there that is even more superior. If deep ground is the thing that might bring them closer together, then let it rain. It could at least make things interesting.

Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 12)

Unibet: 1-3 Constitution Hill, 4 State Man, 10 Impaire Et Passe, 20 Vauban, 25 Lossiemouth, 33 bar

Read these next:

Willie Mullins questions need for investigation over 'storm in a teacup' family spat at Limerick 

Classy Grangeclare West new 7-2 favourite for Brown Advisory after streaking clear of Corbetts Cross 

'I hope there's plenty more to come' - Ballyburn surges to head of Ballymore market after impressing at Leopardstown

Do you want £800+ of free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.