Join us at Punchestown this Saturday as Willie Mullins unleashes his star horses, including the thrilling showdown between State Man and Lossiemouth, while Ballyburn embarks on his exciting chase debut in a season full of promise.
Willie Mullins' impressive stable will be fully operational at Punchestown on Saturday, showcasing many of his leading horses gearing up for an exciting return to competition. All eyes will be on the highly awaited showdown between State Man and Lossiemouth in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, while Ballyburn prepares to rise to a new challenge as he embarks on his debut in chasing.
Over the past season, State Man has nearly been unbeatable, successfully defending his title in the Morgiana before securing consecutive victories in the esteemed Matheson Hurdle and the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. His credentials were further enhanced when, in the absence of the impressive Constitution Hill, the seven-year-old achieved a career-defining victory in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. His remarkable performance reached its peak with a dominant win in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, solidifying his status as one of the top hurdlers in the category.
This Saturday, State Man will encounter a new challenge as he goes up against his stablemate, the promising Lossiemouth. The six-year-old mare has achieved victory in eight of her nine hurdle races, boasting an unbeaten record last season. She aims to prove herself against one of the top competitors in the field. The jockeys, Paul Townend riding for State Man and Patrick Mullins guiding Lossiemouth, will be eager to establish an early advantage as they prepare for the Champion Hurdle in March.
The betting landscape is abuzz, as Paddy Power has positioned Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill as joint-favourites for the Champion Hurdle at 5/2, while State Man is offered at 3/1. The upcoming season at the pinnacle of hurdling promises to be intriguing, with Mullins' trio of State Man, Lossiemouth, and the impressive Constitution Hill locked in a contest for dominance.
As is customary, Mullins holds a commanding presence in the Morgiana lineup, with five of the eight competitors representing Closutton, which features Daddy Long Legs, Sir Gerhard, and Winter Fog. Nevertheless, the most significant challenge to Mullins' supremacy comes from Gordon Elliott’s outstanding mare Brighterdaysahead. Coming off a recent victory at Down Royal three weeks prior, she will be primed and race-fit for what is expected to be a demanding race. Smooth Tom (Andrew Slattery) and No Looking Back (Oliver McKiernan) round out the field, but it remains challenging to overlook the wealth of talent that Mullins brings.
While there were high hopes that Ballyburn would contend for the Champion Hurdle after a remarkable novice season last year, Mullins has opted to redirect his attention towards chasing. Ballyburn will start his career over fences in the Conway Piling Beginners Chase, where he is expected to receive strong support for a smooth transition. After being a beaten favorite on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse last December, Ballyburn bounced back to achieve an impressive run of four consecutive wins, including three Grade One victories at Leopardstown, Cheltenham, and Punchestown.
The Grade Two Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase, which features only three participants, will also showcase Mullins' impact through Elliott's competitors. Cheltenham Festival champion Stellar Story, piloted by stable jockey Jack Kennedy, will lead the charge, with Rainbow Trail and Search For Glory rounding out the field, ridden by Jody McGarvey and Sam Ewing, respectively.
As the Punchestown Festival commences, all attention will be focused on Mullins and his outstanding horses. The anticipated showdown between State Man and Lossiemouth in the Morgiana Hurdle is set to be an exciting event, while Ballyburn's shift to chasing will be an intriguing narrative to follow throughout the season. With a plethora of talent on display, Punchestown is poised to provide some unforgettable moments as the 2023-24 season progresses.
