State Man favourite ahead of Honeysuckle among six confirmations for Irish Champion Hurdle
Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore wins Champion Hurdle at 2022 Cheltenham Festival
State Man could go to post as favourite ahead of Honeysuckle and Vauban in Sunday's Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The trio lead a field of six possibles for the race, with Honeysuckle in the unusual position of not being favourite after suffering the first defeat of her career last time out in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse.
It will be the first time she has not been sent off favourite since the 2020 Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, when she beat Benie Des Dieux.
Willie Mullins' State Man has progressed from victory in last term's County Hurdle to win two Grade Ones already this season, landing the Morgiana and Matheson Hurdles.
State Man held off his Willie Mullins stablemate Vauban at Christmas and the champion trainer is happy for them both to meet again in an attempt to prevent a fourth successive victory for Henry de Bromhead's mare.
Mullins said: "It's going to be a hell of a race.
"Honeysuckle, I thought, ran very well (in the Hatton's Grace). A lot of people castigated her for her run in Fairyhouse but I thought it was a great run against that class of horse. She'll be hard to beat.
"We'll be doing our best with State Man and Vauban, both ran crackers at Christmas.
"I keep saying he's (Vauban) only five and he is, though it's hard for those sort of horses to improve.
"Both of them have pleased me since and we're looking forward to see if we can take on Kenny Alexander's Honeysuckle. It's going to be a very good race, anyhow."
The Gordon Elliott duo of Pied Piper and Zanahiyr and Tom Mullins' outsider Takarengo complete the list.
Only five remain in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase over two miles, where Mullins' Blue Lord will aim to follow up his win at Christmas and cement his Champion Chase claims.
Sceau Royal, a rare British raider, Dunvegan, Gentleman De Mee and Fastorslow are also engaged.
There are nine left in the Tattersalls Ireland Novices Hurdle over two miles, in which Mullins has another enviable hand.
Facile Vega, Dark Raven, Gaelic Warrior and Il Etait Temps could all run for the champion trainer.
Elliott has American Mike and Irish Point to chose from while De Bromhead's unbeaten Inthepocket, Joseph O'Brien's one-time Derby favourite High Definition and Oliver McKiernan's No Looking Back add further strength in depth.
The Ladbrokes Novice Chase over two miles and five furlongs has a competitive look to it with 13 left in.
Mullins holds another strong hand with El Fabiolo, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Glengouly, James Du Berlais and Kilcruit among his team, but Elliott should offer stern resistance with Gerri Colombe, Mighty Potter and Fil Dor still in.
