Ten to Follow: The National Hunt hurdling hopefuls who may deliver big at 2023  festivals

As the National Hunt season gradually finds its rhythm some precious cards are now being played. Here are ten hurdlers worth following all the way to Punchestown in April.

Love Envoi, with Jonathan Burke up, on their way to winning the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last March. 

STATE MAN (Age 5), Willie Mullins, Form111F, Official Rating 151.

French import State Man fell when odd-on favourite on his Irish debut in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle last Christmas. In retrospect, rarely has such a certainty hit the deck. Unbeaten in three after that mishap he was cleverly placed to win The County Hurdle at Cheltenham and rounded off by winning the Grade One novice at Punchestown. Only five, and rapidly improving, Mullins considered sending him novice chasing but chose wisely to choose another year of hurdling given his performance in Sunday’s Morgiana at Punchestown. He has some big names to slay in the Champion and needs to improve at least another 10 Lbs to win it, but if his current trajectory continues then he comes strongly into the picture.