The 2024 edition of the Champion Hurdle was preceded by one of the biggest headlines in the lead-up to the meeting, with the announcement that the brilliant defending champion Constitution Hill had not recovered from illness in time to defend his crown. In his absence, Nicky Henderson relied on Iberico Lord and Luccia – both of whom boasted excellent form in handicaps but were taking a huge step up in class here.
Following the withdrawal of the favourite, this race suddenly looked at the mercy of Willie Mullins (as was so often the case at the 2024 Festival). Flying the Closutton flag this time was the 2023 runner-up State Man. Whilst no match for Constitution Hill, this son of Doctor Dino arrived with no fewer than eight Grade 1 victories to his name. Conquering all who crossed his path in Ireland, he started as the overwhelming favourite. State Man was joined in the field by stablemate Zarak The Brave, but his biggest threat seemed most likely to come from the Gordon Elliott-trained Irish Point. Having vied for Stayers’ Hurdle favouritism throughout the winter months, he instead dropped back in trip for a crack at the Day 1 feature.
Of the others, the 12-year-old Not So Sleepy was past his best but at least had the ground in his favour; Colonel Mustard had previously hit the frame at this level, and Welsh Champion Hurdle winner Nemean Lion carried the hopes of the Kerry Lee yard.
Result
- 1st – State Man 2/5F, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd – Irish Point 9/2, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd – Luccia 33/1, Jockey: James Bowen, Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £262,303.74
- 2nd – £98,965.22
- 3rd – £49,642.30
- 4th – £24,910.97
- 5th – £12,615.17
- 6th – £6,420.70
- 7th – £3,300.17
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £1.40
- Tote Places – 1st: £1.10, 2nd: £1.40, 3rd: £3.60
- Exacta – £2.50
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £2.70
- Trifecta – £19.70
- Tricast – £24.69
Recap
No great urgency as the runners approached the first, with the old boy Not So Sleepy eventually taking it upon himself to make the running, followed by Nemean Lion to his inside and the mare Luccia to the outer. State Man and Irish Point sat together in midfield, with Colonel Mustard, Iberico Lord, and Zarak The Brave held up in the rear.
Heading into the back straight, the hard-pulling Not So Sleepy was allowed to extend, latched onto by Nemean Lion and Luccia dropping into midfield with the others holding their early positions. Moving to the third last, Iberico Lord began to be urged along with no great response, Not So Sleepy’s early exertions began to take their toll, and Colonel Mustard was going nowhere quickly. Irish Point was briefly niggled but soon came back on the bridle to move upsides Nemean Lion, whilst State Man lobbed along on the inside.
Rounding the bend into the straight, Irish Point effortlessly took up the running, only to be immediately joined on his outside by a cruising State Man. In fairness to the Gordon Elliott runner, he at least made State Man work over the final two fences, but the trademark turn of footy of the jolly proved the decisive factor as he forged more than a length clear at the line. It was an honourable second for Irish Point, with Luccia running a cracker to stay on for third.
The 2024 edition is unlikely to go down as a vintage renewal, but the connections of the winner are unlikely to care too much. It was a deserved success on the biggest stage for the prolific State Man, a fifth Champion Hurdle for Willie Mullins, and a first for Paul Townend.
Runners
- 1. Colonel Mustard – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Mrs Lorna Fowler, Jockey: J J Slevin
- 2. Iberico Lord – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- 3. Irish Point – SP: 9/2, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- 4. Nemean Lion – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Kerry Lee, Jockey: Richard Patrick
- 5. Not So Sleepy – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Hughie Morrison, Jockey: Sean Bowen
- 6. State Man – SP: 2/5F, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 7. Zarak The Brave – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Daryl Jacob
- 8. Luccia – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: James Bowen
Non-Runners
All Ran