Boodles Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
2m 45y Yielding
made all, pushed along and stretched clear before last, ridden and kept on well run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and dropped to 3rd after 2 out, ridden before last and kept on again into 2nd run-in, no impression on winner
tracked leaders in 3rd and a bit keen, dropped to 4th before 3 out, progress into 2nd after next, pushed along before last and no impression on winner, ridden and dropped to 3rd run-in
raced in rear, went 5th before 3 out and ridden after next, soon went moderate 4th and kept on same pace from last
raced in 4th, big jump 1st, closer in 3rd before 3 out, mistake 2 out and soon dropped to 4th, no extra and eased before last
raced in 5th, dropped to rear before 3 out, pushed along and no extra from 2 out
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €28.37 (3, 5) |
| Win | €3.25 (3) |
| Place | €1.30 (3), €2.40 (5) |
| Exacta | €17.60 (3, 5) |
| Trifecta | €25.90 (3, 5, 6) |
A rematch of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, with State Man deservedly gaining compensation for his last-flight fall and beating the winner that day Golden Ace by the kind of margin that had looked likely, but with Constitution Hill (going off odds on once more) getting round this time but turning in a painfully lacklustre effort. State Man has regularly been rated in the high-160s at his best, and there is every reason to think he achieved something similar again, a 55.87s final 4f (104.7% finishing speed) showing that the pace he set was honest enough for the conditions.
STATE MAN (h168 here and previously) is a magnificent individual, who seldom delivers anything other than his very best, and he showed no ill effects from falling with a second Champion Hurdle at his mercy to win this for the third time in a row. He made all, jumping soundly and setting a decent pace, turned the screw after 3 out and was nudged a few lengths clear after the next, in command thereafter though ridden briefly on the run-in. Most hurdlers start declining at 8 onwards, but he is not like most hurdlers and is still as good as ever.
GOLDEN ACE (h155 here and previously) matched her form when a fortunate winner of the Champion Hurdle and is an improved model of late, she was in second or disputing that position most of the way, was pushed along and tapped for toe 2 out then rallied well, closing a bit at the finish. She probably needs a good gallop at this trip these days.
KARGESE (h153 here, 147 previously) is ending the season in fine form, improving a bit on her Cheltenham win (when generously treated by the BHA handicapper), taking a good hold and in 2nd or 3rd most of the way, making a mistake 3 out but passing Golden Ace after the next, no extra late on.
BREAK MY SOUL (h131 here, 143 previously) was set plenty to do and never on terms.
CONSTITUTION HILL (h133 here, ? previously) was a sorry sight, bombing out completely, a bit worked up at the start and over-jumping the 1st, also not as slick as he used to be at some others, but looking poised to challenge after 3 out, then jumping left at the next and finding nothing. The obvious conclusion is that his 2 falls have affected him mentally, and time is no longer on his side to sort any problems out.
BOTTLER’SECRET (h126 here, 141 previously)
