ITV Racing and William Hill Radio's paddock judge Ken Pitterson has explained on the latest episode of William Hill's Cheltenham Festival show, The Inside Track, that he believes that State Man can give Constitution Hill a race in the 2023 Champion Hurdle.
Falling on stable debut last term when looking the likely winner, he showed bundles of ability at Limerick next time out to win easily by 12 lengths.
Mullins next time out sent him into the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival having won five of the last 11 renewals and being a Graded horse in a handicap he went on to win well off a mark of 141.
Looking to land a hat-trick, he was stepped in trip and into a Grade One at the Punchestown festival and taking on the likes of Kilcruit, Flame Bearer and Three Stripe Life he dominated the field to win by seven lengths.
đŁïž "I think he's got the full package."
— William Hill Racing (@WillHillRacing) January 17, 2023
This week's #TheInsideTrack guest was paddock expert Ken Pitterson and he thinks Constitution Hill has a more than worthy challenger in the Champion Hurdle...@KateTracey12 | @jamesmackieee
Watch now on YouTube đ
This season he has looked a much improved horse again being seen on two different occasions, his first run of the season at Punchestown in the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle when landing the event comfortably and he made it five wins on the bounce when last seen at Christmas at Leopardstown, landing the Grade One Matheson Hurdle.
He took on three Grade One winners in the field including stablemates Vauban and Sharjah, with Pied Piper for Gordon Elliott back in fourth.
He is the current 4/1 second favourite to land the day one feature at this year's Cheltenham festival and Ken Pitterson has explained in the latest The Inside Track show how much he has strengthened from last season to now.