State Man 4/1 to win 2025 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival

After winning the 2024 Champion Hurdle on Tuesday afternoon, we have priced up State Man at 3/1 to retain his crown at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

Willie Mullins had his first Champion Hurdle winner since Annie Power in the 2016 race, as Paul Townend guided the 2/5 favourite home on the opening day.

It was also a first ever win in the race for Townend who had finished second on multiple occasions with Melon (2018 and 2019), Sharjah (2021) and State Man last year.

After Constitution Hill was ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival last week, the race was wide open for State Man to go one better than his 2023 performance and so it proved as he was first home ahead of Irish Point in second and Luccia in third.

State Man now has the chance to emulate the likes of Honeysuckle, Buveur d'Air and Istabraq by winning Tuesday's Championship race in successive years.

He could have sterner competition than in this year's race, however, with Constitution Hill likely to be back and over hurdles once again, while Henry de Bromhead could target the race for Slade Steel following his win in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Mullins may be tempted to run Mystical Power in the race if he builds on his second-placed finish in the same race, while Lossiemouth could also be heading for a sterner challenge after prevailing in the Mares' Hurdle.

2025 Champion Hurdle odds

Any odds displayed are subject to fluctuation.

Matt Gibbs

• Cheltenham Racecourse
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