STATE Man (146+) completed his Champion Hurdle preparation with another Leopardstown victory, although for the large crowd assembled it was a bittersweet moment as the queen of Irish jump racing Honeysuckle could only finish second and now heads to the Mares’ Hurdle rather than defending her Champion Hurdle crown.

The debate beforehand was who would make the running although as the tape went up there was no dispute as Paul Townend sent the Joe Donnelly-owned favourite straight to the lead.

This proved a race winning move as the champion jockey cruised along in front of his field before delivering the fastest closing sectional of the day.

In covering the ground from the third last hurdle in 76.2secs, the six-year-old was 2.3secs quicker than Il Etait Temps and 1.4secs quicker than Gaelic Warrior.

Honeysuckle (142+) was close enough if good enough at the second last and, despite completing her sectional in 77.0secs, she was fortunate Vauban (142+), who stopped the clock at 76.8secs, gave away his chance of being second by jumping out to the right at the final hurdle.

Presuming Danny Mullins retains the ride on last year’s premier juvenile in the Champion Hurdle, the tactically astute pilot is sure to be alive to the fact his partner’s jumping errors were when without cover and attempt to smuggle him into the race as late as possible. That said, finishing third is more realistic than anything better.

An overall race time slower than Il Etait Temps (155+) is explained by the suicidal early pace at which Facile Vega and High Definition covered the early stages.

In an interview after the race Willie Mullins remarked on the strong pace passing the reservoir on route to the back straight and his observation was exactly right as the pair were 4.8secs quicker than State Man through the section from the final hurdle with a circuit to cover and the first flight in the back straight.

Even after High Definition departed the scene, Facile Vega continued at pace and maintained the gap until the third last hurdle at the end of the back straight, taking off at the obstacle 4.6secs ahead of the Irish Champion Hurdle winner.

As the closing sectionals portray, Il Etait Temps was the slowest of the day over hurdles, although the more positive view of the finishing effort posted by the grey is that he was 1.7secs quicker than Inthepocket (145) who eventually won the battle for second.

Willie Mullins was quick to commit Facile Vega to Cheltenham, on the proviso of Paul Townend riding him like a racehorse rather than a machine, when presumably the target will remain the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Assuming Il Etait Temps also makes the line-up, there will be less doubt over his handling the usual breakneck gallop, which is normally a feature of the festival curtain raiser.

Warrior well fit for Grade 1 tests

GAELIC Warrior (131+) looks set for a Grade 1 assignment on his next start after dismissing a field of handicappers with the minimum of fuss in the Grade B Liffey Handicap Hurdle.

However, the Susannah Ricci-owned gelding will have to iron-out the kinks in his jumping if he is to prosper in either of the two novice hurdles on Cheltenham’s old course.

Of those behind the easy winner who could head to a Festival handicap, Ballyadam (127) and Niburu (127) posted strong finishing efforts, with the last named eclipsing the winner’s closing sectional of 77.6secs by stopping the clock at 77.0secs for his sectional.

Ballyadam reserves his best for good ground and was a good sixth to State Man in the County Hurdle last season after a poor showing in this race.