State Man can impress despite sad absence of his rival

As the tapes go up for the Supreme Novices a 70,000-strong salvo will lift the roof from every stand, stable, pub and pavillion at Prestbury Park. It's the highlight of the year for much of this giddy crowd in a playground for grown ups.

Most donning their tweed suits and Barbour jackets which have not seen daylight since Galopin Des Champs bounded by in the Gold Cup, and won't see it again till this week next year. There will be debutants, day trippers and champagne sippers, but the heart of the cohort will be lovers of the game on their yearly pilgrimage.

Each with their own rituals, staying in the same haunts, picking their naps and renewing friendships that busy lives have put on hold. Telling tales of gambles landed or tanks emptied, won or lost on the opening of a gap, the clipping of a hurdle or the bob of a nose. Recounting the 'I was there when moments' of Istabraq, Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre, or if you are of that age to be able to say, 'when Arkle beat Mill House....'.

My 'I was there when moment' was on the second Tuesday in March last year. Honeysuckle with Rachel Blackmore concluding a legendary career for the girls with glory in the Mares' Hurdle. Every spot with an eye shot of the parade ring was filled with a well wisher, clapping and cheering for their entire walk back in to that hallowed winners enclosure.

It was a reminder of why we love the game, punters despite losing dockets in their pockets were teary eyed in appreciation of what the game is all about, that special horse.

And on that very same day Constitution Hill entered the Champion Hurdle with the loftiest of reputations and put in a performance for the ages. Nico De Boinville allowing him an inch of rein approaching two out, that was the only