Willie Mullins secured a quick double on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival as State Man won simple enough win in the McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle.
Rumours abounded that State Man was a group horse in handicap company and the five-year-old sure gave that impression in the Mrs J Donnellly Shishkin silks.
Stepney Causeway took up the running with I Like To Move It and Eclair De Beaufeau in the two miles, four furlong test but it was State Man that imposed himself at the business end.
It was a painful result for the bookmaker after favourite Vauban won the first, followed by State Man's 11/4 victory in the County Hurdle.
Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson's First Street ran a blinder to come second at 16/1 with Colonel Mustard a not so deadly third at 13/2, West Cork (13/2) fourth and Ballyadam in fifth at 50/1.
"He did well to win and I hope he can brush up his jumping," said Mullins.
"He's a horse for the Flat, and while maybe not this season certainly next. Now I am thinking the Grade One at Punchestown as the next step.
"He's a lovely horse with a lot of ability that will do both jobs."
