Willie Mullins says star performers State Man and Lossiemouth will be back next to clash in the 2025 Champion Hurdle after they formed part of a magnificent day-one treble for the Cheltenham Festival’s most successful trainer.
Never-in-doubt wins for State Man in the Champion Hurdle and Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle, as well as an equally facile victory for Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle Novices’ Chase, took Mullins to 97 winners at the biggest jumps meeting of the season.
Mullins, already planning ahead, said: ‘I will try to keep them apart as long as I can. You could see Lossiemouth a little more in England or maybe we will send State Man here.
‘State Man is a very good horse and he deserves a Champion Hurdle but Lossiemouth will have a crack at it as well next year — let’s see if she is up to it.’
Paddy Power make State Man 3-1 for next season’s Champion Hurdle with Lossiemouth 6-1.
Rachael Blackmore celebrates after winning the the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race with Slade Steel at Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday afternoon
On his first-day victories, Mullins added: ‘It is very satisfying. It is nice having a big team coming over here but they have to win.’
