State Man again rules over Irish Point to land Punchestown Champion Hurdle

State Man claimed his 10th Grade One triumph when seeing off old rival Irish Point in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old made it a perfect five from five for the campaign by following up wins at the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham with yet another straightforward success.

Irish Point gave State Man a decent work-out at Prestbury Park last month and Jack Kennedy was keen to push on at the head of affairs.

"I love riding him because he's so simple" - Paul Townend salutes State Man after he held off Irish Point in the Champion Hurdle, keeping Townend's hopes of catching Jack Kennedy in the jockeys championship alive