Champion Hurdle Tips: State Man to bring his A-Game

| March 11 |

3 mins read

The day one feature race at Cheltenham will see a new hero crowed after defending champion Constitution Hill was ruled out with a late setback.

A field of eight have been declared for the two-mile Championship event, with last year's runner-up expected by many to go one spot better.

Check out Betfred’s price boost on the Champion Hurdle at 11:00, as well a winning distance special on Tuesday, March 12.

Champion Hurdle Tips - Tuesday, March 12

State Man @ 1/3
Zarak The Brave @ 20/1

Runners:

Colonel Mustard (Lorna Fowler/JJ Slevin) 66/1

Only has a Galway maiden hurdle on his CV from 13 starts over timber, that coming in October 2021, but has been third to State Man here in a County Hurdle and also in a Punchestown Grade 1 last spring. First-time blinkers on now and any kind of similar showing would delight connections.

Iberico Lord (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) 11/1

Not the horse Henderson and De Boinville had hoped to contend with. Won the Greatwood here in November and last month's Newbury handicap win was a career best. Sharp rise in grade here.

Irish Point (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) 11/2

Excellent novice over timber last season, culminating in a Aintree Grade 1 win. 2-2 this season, most recently winning the three mile Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown in grand fashion. Defected here from the Stayers' once Constitution Hill was out and now looms as a danger on paper.

Nemean Lion (Kerry Lee/Richard Patrick) 28/1

Behind Iberico Lord in the Greatwood, but comes here after seeing off Colonel Mustard to win the Grade 2 Kingwell at Wincanton last month on heavy ground. Should give his running.

Not So Sleepy (Hughie Morrison/Sean Bowen) 28/1

Grand old servant is contesting his fifth Champion Hurdle. Never finished better than fifth and best day remains a dead heat with Epatante in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in 2021.

He won a substandard renewal of that Grade 1 at Sandown in December on testing ground, but is now older than Hatton's Grace and Sea Pigeon were in winning their third/second instalments of this race.

State Man (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) 1/3

Second in this last year when probably giving too much rope to an outstanding winner, that's his only setback in his last 11 starts. Has won four more Grade 1s in Ireland since and looks better than ever at seven years old.

Zarak The Brave (Willie Mullins/Daryl Jacob) 20/1

Missed this meeting last year, but otherwise had some excellent form. Won a very competitive Galway Hurdle last summer and arrives here off the back of a Grade 3 win at Naas in January. A definite player for a place.

Luccia (Nicky Henderson/James Bowen) 22/1

All the rage for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle here last March but could only take fourth. Sound form since, including third behind stablemate Iberico Lord in the Greatwood and, most recently, taking Premier Handicap Hurdle at Ascot in December.

That was off a mark of 136, however, so plenty more is required despite her seven-pound allowance.

Verdict

State Man @ 1/3 & Zarak The Brave @ 20/1

Even before Constitution Hill was ruled out, there was a real feeling that STATE MAN was going to give him proper food for thought this year, as the Mullins camp clearly feel he's an improved model this term.

He's been mopping up Grade 1s in Ireland this season and rarely brings anything but his A-game.

Irish Point might ideally want further and so it could be a one-two for Mullins, as ZARAK THE BRAVE is a 152-rated five-year-old with more to come in all probability.