State Man seals perfect season with Punchestown glory

Willie Mullins’ charge sees off Irish Point in the Boodles Champion Hurdle.

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

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.

He was still in front turning for home but Paul Townend was sitting far more comfortably on State Man and they edged past approaching the final flight, where a much-better jump secured a decisive advantage.

To his credit, Irish Point battled on gamely all the way to the line, but 2-7 favourite State Man was always in control at that stage and ultimately obliged by two lengths.

It was a second straight success in this race for the victor, who has now come out on top in 12 of his last 13 races, only losing out to Constitution Hill at Cheltenham last year.

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