Matheson Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 3m 55.7s

Pied Piper^t⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| D

12/1

Useful hurdler. 1/8, didn't need to be at best when winning 4-runner WKD Hurdle at Down Royal (16.9f, soft) 55 days ago by 3¼ lengths from David Garrick, easily. Remains open to improvement and hard to dismiss back up in grade.

Form: 113D-11

Sharjah^t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 161| CD

6/1

High-class hurdler. 4 lengths second of 4 to State Man in Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (16.4f, good to soft, 5/2) 39 days ago. Bidding for a remarkable fifth straight win in this.

Form: 322/11-2

State Man³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| D

4/6

Promising type. Career best when winning 4-runner Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (16.4f, good to soft, 4/9) 39 days ago by 4 lengths from Sharjah, travelling strongly. Chance is there for all to see.

Form: 2/F111-1

Vauban^t²⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 156| CD

11/4

Highly promising individual. 4/11, career best when winning 6-runner Champion Juvenile Hurdle at Punchestown (16f, soft) by 4 lengths from Fil Dor when last seen, cruising clear. Off 8 months. Big player.

Form: 2111-

She Is Electric^h⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R P Geoghegan| T: N Lee| OR: 123| D

200/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 2 wins from 5 runs this season. 13/2, bit below form 11 lengths fourth of 8 to Fennor Cross in Sharp Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, good to soft) 46 days ago.

Form: 6-42114

Forecasts

State Man (4/6), Vauban (11/4), Sharjah (6/1), Pied Piper (12/1), She Is Electric (200/1)

Willie Mullins holds a strong hand and the classy STATE MAN is fancied to continue his progress and hold off his younger stablemate Vauban. The third of his representatives, Sharjah, was comfortably held by the selection last time but is likely to be closer to his best now as he seeks a fifth straight win in this Grade 1.