State Man out for the season – What’s the State of Play?

News broke this morning that a tendon injury has ruled State Man out for the season, weakening what already looks far from a vintage Champion Hurdle. His owner’s other speed hurdler, Anzadam, will now be his main dart for the big one in March. Looking shorter term, now that Sate Man is out of the reckoning, there is every chance that Anzadam will be rerouted from Plan A, the Fighting Fifth, to Punchestown’s Morgiana Hurdle to deputise.

The reason given for Lossiemouth not running in the Champion Hurdle has been her supposed inferiority to State Man, so does today’s news push her towards the Champion Hurdle? I’m guessing it does, although if Anzadam rips up the division, then maybe Paul Townend will want to ride him, and she will again be steered towards the Mares Hurdle.

That double makes some appeal.

Could State Man be a real “domino horse”? After all, if Lossiemouth is aimed at the Champion Hurdle, is it more likely that Jade De Grugy will be kept over hurdles and run in the Mares Hurdle rather than aim for the Mares Chase? With a weakened Champion Hurdle field, could Kargese put off her novice chasing career? Plans were already afoot to start the season over hurdles …

Many questions, and as ante-post punters, we have to think carefully about the ramifications of any leading horse missing the festival.

This was an early shot across the bows, and it emphasises the need to understand who the “domino horses” are and what the effects of their absences may be.