Patrick Mullins: State Man a tough nut to crack for Lossiemouth in Morgiana Hurdle

Patrick Mullins believes Lossiemouth faces a "huge step up in class" as she bids to topple her illustrious stablemate State Man in a fascinating clash for the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

While perhaps lacking the X-factor of Constitution Hill, State Man's record since joining Willie Mullins is pretty extraordinary by anyone’s standards.

Since falling on his Irish debut at Leopardstown almost three years ago, the chestnut has won 12 of his 13 starts, including 10 Grade Ones – his only defeat during that period coming at the hands of Nicky Henderson’s superstar in the 2023 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Last season, State Man successfully defended the Morgiana, the Matheson Hurdle and the Irish Champion Hurdle before making the most of Constitution Hill’s absence at Prestbury Park in March. He also won a second Punchestown Champion Hurdle in the spring just for good measure.

The seven-year-old will be a hot favourite to make it a Morgiana hat-trick on Saturday – but in a move that many will see as a surprise, Mullins has also declared another ace in his Closutton pack in the form of star mare Lossiemouth.

Another French recruit, who has been beaten only once in nine career starts overall, the grey is actually shorter in the betting for this season’s Champion Hurdle than State Man with most bookmakers, but Patrick Mullins – who will be aboard Lossiemouth on Saturday after Paul Townend stuck with the reigning champion – feels she has plenty on her plate to get to State Man’s level.

"It’s a hugely exciting ride, it’s a big step up in class, a huge step up in class," he said.

"State Man sets the standard and it will be very hard to get by him, but you don’t know until you try.

"The Morgiana time-wise is a fantastic race.