Irish weekend preview: State Man a cut above Punchestown rivals
He may have been no match for Constitution Hill at Cheltenham but State Man was otherwise faultless last season and he can begin a new campaign retaining his Morgiana Hurdle crown. , who will take the first step on the path back to the Champion Hurdle when he defends his Unibet Morgiana Hurdle title at Punchestown on Saturday. Issue date: Friday November 24, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story RACING Punchestown Saturday. Photo credit should read Brian Lawless/PA Wire.
There is Grade One action on both days of the weekend at Punchestown, though the Saturday card makes limited appeal with regard to punting. The feature on the programme is the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle and, barring accidents, State Man should prove far too good for his rivals.
Of course, Willie Mullins’ runner will be priced accordingly and will make little appeal to most punters. Bar bumping into one Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, last season was a perfect one for State Man as he won four Grade One events, including this race. Versatile with regard to ground and to the way the race is run, he brings a class edge to proceedings and can put another on the board for his trainer who has won 11 of the last 12 runnings of the race.
