DAVID JENNINGS

1 State Man 2 Vauban 3 Honeysuckle

There are those who think Vauban can reverse Matheson Hurdle form with State Man but he might struggle to do so. State Man has done everything right this term and there was a degree of authority about his success at Christmas. The heart says Honeysuckle but the head says State Man and the head also says Vauban for the forecast. Willie Mullins seemed genuinely shocked by how close he got at Christmas. There is obviously more to come.