Bob Olinger will carry Tipperary hopes at Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown
State Man will be seeking to retain Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle
Topping the bill at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown on Sunday, February 4 will be the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle, and State Man will be out for further success in the race following his defeat of Honeysuckle last year.
He captured the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle for the second time at Leopardstown last month and his trainer Willie Mullins has also entered Impaire Et Passe, the Matheson runner-up, and the third horse home, Echoes In Rain.
The champion trainer has also given last season’s top juvenile hurdlers Lossiemouth and Gala Marceau entries.
Gordon Elliott has put both Pied Piper and Fils D’oudairies in the race, while the rejuvenated Bob Olinger is there for Henry de Bromhead after his impressive wins at Navan in November and at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, with Colonel Mustard set to run for trainer Lorna Fowler.
Bob Olinger is ridden by Killenaule jockey Rachael Blackmore and races in the colours of Robcour, which is owned by Clonmel businessman Brian Acheson.