Nicky Henderson has one in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on Saturday, with nine-year-old Epatante looking to bounce back from a couple of poor runs by her standards on her last two outings. She was fourth in the Aintree Hurdle earlier this month, behind Zanahiyr, Sharjah and Constitution Hill and a disappointing eighth of nine in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month when a big run was expected.
The mare has won multiple graded races and finished third in this last year, behind Stormy Ireland and Marie’s Rock and cannot be dismissed here. She is likely to go better than her last two runs which could see her in the hunt for victory in what is a very strong renewal of this contest.