Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 4m 2.10s

Daddy Long Legs⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147| D

40/1

Smart hurdler. 2 wins from 6 runs this season. 14/1, 33¼ lengths fifth of 7 to Brighterdaysahead in Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (16.7f, soft) 71 days ago. Yard having good spell but this is no easy ask.

Form: 1-50135

Fils D'oudairies⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 144| C| D

80/1

Course winner who wasn't disgraced when 8¼ lengths fourth of 5 to Constitution Hill in International Hurdle (18/1) at Cheltenham (16.8f, soft) 8 days ago. This smart hurdler can't be totally dismissed.

Form: 134-4P4

State Man³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 168| BF| CD

5/4

Top-class hurdler and last season's Champion Hurdle hero but he turned in a rare below-par effort when an odds-on third of 6 to Brighterdaysahead in December Hurdle over C&D 35 days ago. Bids to land a hat-trick in this event and remains the one to beat with Paul Townend again in the saddle.

Form: 1111-23

Winter Fog³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| CD

28/1

C&D winner and not disgraced when 30 lengths second of 6 to Brighterdaysahead in December Hurdle over C&D 35 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 414332

Lossiemouth³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| CD

8/11

Easily won mares' Grade 1s at Cheltenham and Punchestown last spring. Underlined what a top-class mare she is when also bagging Hatton's Grace on her Fairyhouse return but didn't go with her usual fluency when runner-up to Constitution Hill in Christmas Hurdle at Kempton since. Still a player here.

Form: 1/111-12

Forecasts

Lossiemouth (8/11), State Man (5/4), Winter Fog (28/1), Daddy Long Legs (40/1), Fils D'oudairies (80/1)

STATE MAN wasn't at his best when third in the December Hurdle here just after Christmas but last year's Champion Hurdle hero is taken to bounce back in style and complete a hat-trick of wins in this Grade 1 with Paul Townend retaining faith in this top-class hurdler. Stablemate Lossiemouth rates a big threat though despite not being at her sparkling best when going down in Kempton's Christmas Hurdle. Winter Fog can complete the clean sweep for Willie Mullins.