STATE OF THE ART

Mullins’ star on top as Hill flops

- BY GARY CARSON

STATE Man produced a dominant front-running display to win his third Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, where Constitution Hill proved a huge disappointment in finishing a well-beaten fifth.

The Grade One contest staged a mouthwatering rematch between the Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson-trained superstars, who both fell in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with the presence of Jeremy Scott's eventual Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace adding further spice.

Despite suffering a second successive fall in the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill was 8-13 favourite to get back on the winning trail on his first trip to Ireland, but he was a spent force from before the home turn and weakened rapidly out of contention.

In contrast, State Man (9-4) - who looked to have a second Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham at his mercy when crashing out at the final obstacle at Prestbury Park in midMarch — continued to pour it on in front under Paul Townend and came home with four and three-quarter lengths in hand over Golden Ace.