‘He’s in great order’: could State Man take the Champion Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival?

Jennifer Donald's avatar
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Published In Features
State Man and Paul Townend jumping the last in the 2023 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
State Man and Paul Townend jumping the last in the 2023 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

With confirmation this week from trainer Nicky Henderson that his Unibet Champion Hurdle favourite Constitution Hill will miss this year’s Cheltenham Festival, all eyes have turned to the Willie Mullins-trained State Man, who is the new favourite for Tuesday’s feature race.

Joe and Marie Donnelly’s French-bred seven-year-old son of Doctor Dino won the County Hurdle at the Festival in 2021 and he and jockey Paul Townend came home nine lengths behind the all-conquering Constitution Hill in last year’s Champion Hurdle.

Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.