Willie Mullins’s top hurdler State Man has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a tendon injury on the gallops. The eight-year-old is a prolific Grade One performer with 12 top-level wins, including three Irish Champion Hurdles, three Punchestown Champion Hurdles and the 2024 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
State Man had looked set to defend his Cheltenham title at Prestbury Park in March before falling at the final obstacle. He had been entered to return in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown next weekend, a race he has won on two occasions, but connections have confirmed he will miss the entire campaign. Mullins said: “Sadly State Man has suffered a tendon injury on the gallops here. He’ll definitely be out for the rest of the season.”
With State Man sidelined, stablemate Lossiemouth has been installed as joint-favourite for the Morgiana Hurdle alongside Dan Skelton’s The New Lion, both quoted at 3-1.