State Man claims easy victory in Matheson Hurdle

Gaillard Du Mesnil won the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown. It was his first run in championship company against older horses. Willie Mullins and Paul Townend are considering taking him to Cheltenham Festival. Shewearsitwell provided Mullin with a sixth victory in the BeattheBankie Irish EBF Mares Hurdle at the Leopardtown. He is 6-4 favourite from 9-1 for the National Hunt Chase and 10-5 for Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. He was a maiden last time. Paddy Power make him 6/10 for Cheltensham.

Good Land won the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown. Barry Connell will consider a return to Leopardtown for the Dublin Racing Festival with Good Land. Marine Nationale is being kept fresh for Supreme Novices’ H hurdling at the Cheltenham Festival. Good land will be given more experience and could compete at Grade One level. State Man won at Matcheson. State man was ridden by Michael O'Sullivan. He was eight lengths clear of Tag Man. The horse is a stayer. Marine National is on holidays in Cork.

Seddon won the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase. He was ridden by amateur Ben Harvey. The horse won a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in October. It was raining when the race was taking place. Sedd on is going to get into the hurdle race in Cheltonham. He will also be entered in the chase. State Man won Matheson Hurdle. John McConnell was getting very watery about the ground.

Charles and Philip Byrnes won the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle with the gambled on 7-4 favourite Green Glory. The same connections won it nine years ago with Sea Light.

Willie Mullins enjoyed a treble on the card, with the Grade Three success of Shewearsitwell followed by Grade One wins for Gaillard Du Mesnil and State Man. His pair of Lecky Watson and Special Cadeau came second and third respectively in the concluding bumper behind Fascile Mode, trained by his brother Tom Mullin.