Henderson "mistake" as Epatante isn't entered for Mares' Hurdle
Henderson believes Epatante should be considered as a possible runner in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle despite not being entered in initial entries for the Cheltenham Festival. Epetante won the Unibet Champion HURDLE in 2020 and placed behind Honeysuckle the following two years. Henderson believes she should also have been given an entry for Grade One Mare's Hurry 40 minutes later on the opening day card.
Henderson made a mistake as Epatante wasn't entered for Mares' Hurdle. He can supplement her at the five-day stage and he will do so if that is the race they want. Marie's Rock is currently the market leader at a best price of 5-2. First Street could also be represented by Henderson. The Champion Huddle's leading trainer could represent First St. in the opening day feature.
Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y - Tuesday 14th March. Bob Olinger (IRE) 8 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland. Constitution Hill 6 Mr Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson. First Street 6 Lady Bamford & Alice Bamfond NickY Henderson, I Like To Move It 6 Anne-Marie & Jamie Shepperd Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jason The Militant 9 Mr G Nicholson Philip Kirby, Knappers Hill 7 Mr P K Barber and Mr J Vogt Paul Nicholls, Not So Sleepy 11 Lady Blyth Hughie Morrison, Pied Piper 5 Caldwell Construction Ltd Gordon Elliott Ireland, Sharjah 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland and State Man 6 Mrs J. Donnelly W P Mullin Ireland).
Unibet odds: Constitution Hill, State Man, Honeysuckle, Vauban, Epatante, Bob Olinger, Love Envoi, 50-1 Sharjah, Echoes In Rain, I Like To Move It, First Street, Pied Piper, Zanahiyr, Knappers Hill and Jason The Militant.
Epatante isn't entered for Mares' Hurdle. Paddy Power Stayers'Hurdles (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y - Thursday 16th March.
Epatante isn't entered for Mares' Hurdle. Paddy Power odds: 5-1 Flooring Porter, 6- 1 Home By The Lee, 8-2 Klassical Dream, 10-10 Blazing Khal, Ashdale Bob, 12-12 Marie’s Rock, Teahupoo, 14-14 Paisley Park, Sharjah, 16-16 Asterion Forlonge, Buzz, Sir Gerhard, 25-25 Dashel Drasher, Haut En Couleurs, 33-33 Goshen, Saint Sam, 40-40 Hewick, 50-50 Beacon Edge, Botox Has, Indefatigable, Zanahiyr, 66-66 Sams Profile, Sire Du Berlais, Summerville Boy, 100-100 Langer Dan.
