State collects again after Lossiemouth exit

A crashing fall four from home by Lossiemouth left State Man to hack home on his own to claim a hat-trick of wins in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown this afternoon.

It looked to be developing into a cracking duel between the Willie Mullins-trained pair until the mare got the third flight down the back wrong and took a heavy tumble.

State Man was hampered by the 8/11 favourite and was lucky not to be brought down himself at the flight.

It proved a non-contest thereafter as the other three runners had been well adrift from early on.

Townend popped the last on State Man and gave him a brief shake up on the run-in after looking behind to see Daddy Long Legs closing slightly in second.

The margin was a cosy six-and-a-half lengths at the line for the 5/4 winner.

Luckily Lossiemouth appeared none-the-worse for her fall. Danny Mullins initially walked away but looked sore afterwards.

Mullins said:- “Both jockeys went out with no instructions, and I was happy to let them do what they wanted, ride their own race.

“They were setting it up to be a hell of a race. It’s disappointing for Rich, the public — it’s disappointing for us all.

“It was just one of those things and Paul was lucky not to be brought down.

“Paul was happier that he was back to himself. He only does whatever he has to do, and only wins a length or two when he’s right.

“Paul never waivers from him. There was never any question (which horse he was going to ride)."

On Lossiemouth he added:- “At Fairyhouse she was running at a four-mile pace and we always settled her in behind because she was so keen.

“She is bred to be way faster than State Man, but she just wasn’t used to that fast pace that they go around Kempton. I didn’t think that was anything to do with zest, it was just to do with the way we’d been teaching her to race.

“I haven’t spoken to Rich but our plan has always been to go for the Champion Hurdle and unless they have a change of heart, I’m happy she can still go for a Champion Hurdle.”

Townend told RTE:- “I was very very lucky not to be brought down. I was on top of him.

“It was going to be a match but positives to take out of it up to that, we were going the gallop no bother today. He felt better in himself today.

“We don’t know what would have happened but I suppose take nothing away from him. He can only do what he does.

“I’ll tell you the truth the last was looking very big, for such a good jumper, when I was coming to it. I had way too much time to think.

“I don’t know what the times are saying, what speeds we were doing compared to Christmas or anything, but he felt better in himself today.

“Hopefully Danny and the mare are okay. Fair play to State Man, you have to jump them and he’s won again.”

Betfair made the winner an 8/1 shot (from 10/1) for the Champion Hurdle. Constitution Hill is their 4/6 favourite.