Willie Mullins Edges Closer to 100 Cheltenham Wins

State Man won the Champion Hurdle as trainer Willie Mullins moved closer to reaching 100 Cheltenham Festival wins.

The 2-5 favourite, ridden by Paul Townend, was runner-up last year but went one better in the absence of defending champion Constitution Hill.

It was a 96th Festival victory for Mullins, who would be the first person to reach the centenary and earlier won the Arkle Chase with Gaelic Warrior.

State Man saw off Irish Point in second, with Luccia third.

Nicky Henderson, who saddled Luccia, ruled Constitution Hill out of the race last week after a poor workout.