Dublin Racing Festival: Mullins insists State Man still his champion hurdler

Willie Mullins insists State Man is still his "number one contender" in the two-mile division ahead of a blockbuster clash with stablemate Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

State Man won 12 of his first 13 completed starts for the champion trainer, his only defeat during that period coming at the hands of Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old has won two Irish Champion Hurdles, two Punchestown Champion Hurdles, two Morgiana Hurdles and two Matheson Hurdles – and in Constitution Hill's absence claimed Champion Hurdle glory at the Cheltenham Festival last term.

But on Sunday he will return to Leopardstown on a recovery mission, having twice been beaten by Brighterdaysahead this season, most recently coming home 31 lengths adrift of Gordon Elliott’s superstar mare at the Foxrock track over Christmas.

For that reason, most bookmakers made Lossiemouth the hot favourite to claim Irish Champion Hurdle glory earlier this week following her runner-up finish to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton – but Paul Townend is interestingly keeping the faith in State Man and so is his trainer.

"He didn’t turn up, we were very disappointed," Mullins said of his festive performance.

"It was very disappointing on all counts and I don’t know why, but hopefully we can get him back to himself. We’ll only know on the day but we’re happy with what he’s doing at home.

"The winner put in some performance, I’d be delighted to have her in the yard here. I was in the stands in awe of the performance she put in.

"Our horse disappointed at Christmas, but we always forgive a horse one bad run and he is our number one contender."

Danny Mullins comes in for the ride on Lossiemouth, having steered the