Paul Townend thinks State Man is still the one - but this might be one of those rare occasions he gets it wrong

Lossiemouth: shortened in the Champion Hurdle betting following her Hatton's Grace win

Lossiemouth: can pounce late to prove Paul Townend wrongCredit: Seb Daly

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The burning question is: has Paul Townend got one of the biggest decisions correct since seamlessly taking over from Ruby Walsh as Closutton number one? I'm not sure he has.

In fairness to him, it's hard to think of many of these big questions he has got wrong over the last few years, but this feels like the toughest one he has faced so far.

It can't have been easy to opt against riding an odds-on favourite, who is getting 7lb from her main market rival and comes into the race after a much better run than State Man. It must have been a close call, the flip of a coin.

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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 1 February 2025inPreviews

Last updated 18:00, 1 February 2025

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15:20 Leopardstown

Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)5 ran

1st
3State Man
5/4
2nd
1Daddy Long Legs
40/1
3rd
4Winter Fog
28/1