Lossiemouth fall leaves way clear for State Man to retain Irish Champion Hurdle 

Despite her premature exit, the Champion Hurdle remains the mare's primary target at Cheltenham

CHAMPION FEELING: Paul Townend celebrates after steering State Man to victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle on Sunday. Picture: Evan Treacy/PA 

The stage was set, the two market leaders, one a reigning champion hurdler, the other a genuine pretender to the crown, going stride for stride down the backstraight in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Then, in one heart-stopping moment, it was stolen from us as Lossiemouth met the fourth-last all wrong, hardly lifted her legs, crashed to the ground, and but for the grace of God and good luck, State Man was able to avoid his stable companion and remain on his feet.