produced a dominant front-running display to win his third Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown, where
proved a huge disappointment in finishing a well-beaten fifth.
The Grade One contest staged a mouthwatering rematch between the
and Nicky Henderson-trained superstars, who both fell in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with the presence of Jeremy Scott’s eventual Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace adding further spice.
Despite suffering a second successive fall in the Aintree Hurdle, Constitution Hill was a heavily-supported 8-13 favourite to get back on the winning trail on his first trip to Ireland, but he was a spent force from before the home turned and weakened rapidly out of contention.
In contrast, State Man (9-4) – who looked to have a second Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham at his mercy when crashing out at the final obstacle at Prestbury Park in mid-March – continued to pour it on in front under Paul Townend and came home with four and three-quarter lengths in hand over Golden Ace.