Cork-owned State Man makes no mistake to win fifth Champion Hurdle for Willie Mullins
Paul Townend onboard State Man celebrates as he crosses the line to win. Picture: ©INPHO/Tom Maher
State Man, that paragon of jumps racing excellence, claimed the crown of Champion Hurdler in front of a 2024 Cheltenham Festival opening-day crowd of 60,181. Seldom can there have been a more fitting winner of the Unibet-sponsored two-mile championship than the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old who was putting a ninth Grade One victory on a remarkable card.
In 13 completed starts from 14 outings, he can count 11 victories, and one of those two defeats came on his only start in his native France. Since joining Mullins and owners Joe and Marie Donnelly, he has been a star performer, racking up race after race, Grade One after Grade One.
