Paddy Power Champion Hurdle tips and runner-by-runner guide to Punchestown 5.25 on Friday

No Constitution Hill, no problem for State Man?

State Man jumps a hurdle at Punchestown

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

State Man faces five rivals in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle as he bids to end the campaign on a winning note.

The six-year-old, who suffered his first defeat of the season when running into generational talent Constitution Hill at the Cheltenham Festival, has already beaten all five of his opponents including stablemate Vauban in his career.

Zanahiyr has four lengths to find with State Man from Cheltenham, while Sharjah, the oldest horse in the field, finished within three lengths of Constitution Hill at Aintree last time out.

Paddy Power Champion Hurdle odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.

Paddy Power Champion Hurdle tips

Timeform: STATE MAN has no Constitution Hill to contend with this time so is confidently expected to resume winning ways after his Champion Hurdle second and make it 5-6 for the season. Stablemates Sharjah and Vauban are fancied to chase home Willie Mullins’ top-class hurdler in that order.

Paddy Power Champion Hurdle runners

Colonel Mustard

Trainer: Mrs Lorna Fowler Jockey: K. E. Buckley Age: 8 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Smart hurdler. Creditable second of 10 in handicap hurdle (9/2) at Ayr (16f, good) 6 days ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time. Hard to make a case for here, though.

**

Pied Piper

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 5 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Very smart hurdler. C&D winner. 2 wins from 5 runs this season. Good second of 24 in handicap hurdle (12/1) at Cheltenham (16.8f, good to soft) 42 days ago. In the mix.

***

Sharjah

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Mr P. W. Mullins Age: 10 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Very smart hurdler. C&D winner. 20/1, creditable 3 lengths second of 6 to Constitution Hill in Aintree Hurdle at Aintree (20f, good) 15 days ago. Yard having good spell so he’s firmly in the picture.

****

State Man

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 6 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Top-class hurdler. 7/2, 9 lengths second of 7 to Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, soft) 45 days ago. Stable in good form. Very much the one to beat.

*****

Vauban

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 5 Weight: 11st 12lbs

High-class hurdler. C&D winner. 15¼ lengths fourth of 7 to Constitution Hill in Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (16.4f, soft, 16/1) 45 days ago. Stable having good spell. Considered for place purposes.

***

Zanahiyr

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Colin Gainford Age: 6 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Very smart hurdler. 14/1, creditable 3½ lengths third of 6 to Constitution Hill in Aintree Hurdle at Aintree (20f, good) 15 days ago. Not discounted.

***

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