State Man (centre) winning last month's Unibet Champion Hurdle © Photo Healy Racing
Champion Hurdler State Man will be one of the star attractions when he lines up for next Friday’s Grade 1 Boodles Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
The Doctor Dino gelding is now a nine-time Grade 1 winner and Willie Mullins told journalist Dave Keena that he’s delighted to have a hardy horse like him who shows up at every festival.
"He's in great shape, he's just a real healthy horse. He turns up every day and having a horse like that is wonderful for the owners Joe and Marie Donnelly.
"You arrive at every festival that you want to, you're there on the big days and hopefully you're good enough to win. He has been very good and he's got his Champion Hurdle now.
"They're the type of horses you want.
"It's lovely having a superstar but if the superstar can only come out one day of the year...?
"Because owners have horses to have days out, to enjoy the social side of racing."
