Overview

• State Man, ridden by Paul Townend, achieved a commanding victory in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, marking his third consecutive win in the prestigious Grade One event.
• Constitution Hill, the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner, finished a distant fifth, marking his first career defeat in a completed race after recent falls at Cheltenham and Aintree.
• Trainer Willie Mullins praised State Man's consistency and resilience, highlighting his ability to always deliver a strong performance on race day.
• Trainer Nicky Henderson expressed concern over Constitution Hill's uncharacteristic performance, describing it as 'like flicking a switch' and confirming that investigations are underway to identify potential issues.
• The race, which featured a rematch of top hurdlers from Cheltenham, saw State Man dominate over rivals Golden Ace and Kargese, reaffirming his place at the top of the division.