Willie Mullins’ and Paul Townend’s excellent Friday at Leopardstown continued when State Man proved he was still the best two-mile hurdler in Ireland by defeating stablemate Impaire Et Passe in the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle.
Just thirty-five minutes after Grangeclare West cruised to victory in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase, the Closutton-based trainer would return to the Leopardstown winners' enclosure to collect further Grade 1 honours following State Man's victory.
The Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned hurdling star returned to action with a ready success in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November and always looked comfortable under Paul Townend, as they bid to claim back-to-back Matheson Hurdle's having landed the prize twelve months ago.
Fils D'Oudairies ensured the tempo would be a solid one for much of the two-mile Grade 1 contest, with Townend happy to bide his time in second on the 4/7 favourite State Man. Predictably Fils D'oudairies began to come back to his rivals and State Man found himself in front turning for home. Stablemate and 2023 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner stablemate Impaire Et Passe attempted to throw down his challenge under Daryl Jacob approaching the final flight, but State Man always had matters under control, eventually pulling clear for a snug three and three-quarter length success.
Echoes In Rain finished a further eight lengths behind in third to ensure it was a clean sweep for the Mullins brigade, while Fils D'oudairies completed for the fourth spot.
State Man's sole defeat in Grade 1 company came when finishing second to Constitution Hill in last year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and a rematch will surely be on the cards come March.
Mullins said: "State Man showed tremendous gears today. Daryl came in on Impaire Et Passe and he said, 'we quickened twice and then Paul quickened away again a third time'.
"Daryl thought he maybe had Paul where he wanted him at the second-last and he said he quickened twice between the last two and Paul went away again.
"Testing conditions might really suit him (State Man), so we will be praying for rain over Cheltenham!
"State Man ran a great race last March, finishing second to Constitution Hill. Hopefully will be around to keep Constitution Hill straight, but I don't think Nicky Henderson and Michael Buckley are going to be worried.
"We are delighted to win and will probably come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival (Irish Champion Hurdle), and hopefully go on to March then."
A step up in trip could be a potential route for stablemate Impaire Et Passe, although Mullins also suggested the Munir-owned hurdler would also likely receive a Champion Hurdle entry.
Mullins added: "I'll have to have a word with his owners Isaac (Souede) and Simon (Munir), but he is worth a Champion Hurdle entry.
"Maybe we will go out in trip."
Paddy Power trimmed the Willie Mullins-trained State Man to 4/1 (from 5/1) for the opening day showpiece in March, with Henderson's stable star Constitution Hill a general 1/3 chance following his straightforward reappearance victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
