Master trainer Willie Mullins is confident State Man can land him a fifth Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old has only tasted defeat once in his last 11 outings when left nine lengths adrift of the mighty Constitution Hill in the same race last year.

But with Nicky Henderson's stable star ruled out of Tuesday's renewal, the stars appear to have aligned for the Irish entrant — now an odds-on chance for glory.

Mullins, 67, also looks assured to be the Festival's top trainer but knows from experience not to take anything for granted at Prestbury Park.

He said: "State Man looks a worthy favourite and hopefully he can prove himself to be a proper favourite.

"He's been doing everything right at home and on the track, so it would be great if he could win a Champion Hurdle, but nothing is a given when you come over here."

In the saddle will be Mullins' top jockey Paul Townend, who is similarly bullish on State Man's chances.

Townend said: "He’s been excellent this season, so hopefully he can keep it going for another day.

"This is his third time here, so he knows the run of the place already."

It could be a day to remember for the Closutton-based stable, who train the favourite for five of the opening day's seven races as of Monday evening.

Lossiemouth will be a similarly warm order to dot up in the Mares' Hurdle, while Mullins is responsible for half of the 12-strong field in the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Meanwhile, clerk of the course Jon Pullin says a wet February means the Festival will likely kick off with cut in the ground.

Pullin said: "I think we'll be soft ground for the first race, particularly if we get a few showers in the morning.

"We're dry tomorrow afternoon and Wednesday looks to be as well. Thursday could be showery and the New Course will probably be ready for a drop of rain by then.

"At the moment, Friday looks like a combination of sunshine and showers, so we could end up on soft or maybe good to soft."