State in fine form ahead of Matheson Willie Mullins has a strong hand in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown next Friday and reports State Man in fine form as he bids to land the Grade 1 contest for the second time. The Doctor Dino gelding was a cosy winner of the same race 12 months ago before going on to land the Irish Champion Hurdle. He showed his well being when repeating last year's success in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month. Mullins said of that performance, in an interview with journalist Denis Kirwan:- “He did what he had to do and did it well. I'm looking forward to getting him out again. “It's a track that he likes as well and I'm very pleased with him.” Mullins is also set to saddle last season's impressive Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner Impaire Et Passe in the two-miler. The Diamond Boy gelding was beaten at a short price by Teahupoo on his return in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle and Mullins said of him:- “Impaire Et Passe disappointed me a little in Fairyhouse but I just think I had the wrong tactics with him and he's another one that we might have to sharpen our tactics with, it might improve him. “We're coming back to two miles here rather than the two-and-a-half in Fairyhouse.”
