Grade Two International Hurdle Guide 2022

Epatante represents an established, senior class angle in this, against younger, improving horses which provides an element of intrigue – should she run. At time of writing, she isn’t a definite runner, but if she does run, she will set a very high standard here.

She was beaten out of sight by Constitution Hill last time out in the Fighting Fifth, and Constitution Hill just looks a monster so, maybe we can forgive her that?

She is a multiple G1 winner from 2m to 2m4f, so she does set the bar, though there’s no denying she’s not the force of old. Hugely interesting.

First Street is back at the venue where he posted a clear career best, when running the deeply-impressive State Man to a length and a quarter in the County Handicap Hurdle at the Festival last year.

He made a good start to this season when winning the Gerry Feilden at Newbury, though on form he was entitled to win there.

He steps up in class again, but he’s a horse with a good attitude and top class course form, he should go well – but can he mix it with genuine Grade 1 horses?

Zoffanien looks to have a Herculean task on his hands here. He is a useful enough horse, who’s won a few decent races, but he is very much out of his depth here.

He was 5th of 12 last time out at Cheltenham in a 3m handicap hurdle, and prior to that, he ran in a 1m4f flat handicap at Gowran Park, so I’m not entirely sure what to make of that!

He’s a horse who is versatile, no doubt, but if he manages to finish anywhere other than last – that, unfortunately for connections – will have to be taken as a good result. 

Knappers Hill has really gotten into the swing of things of late, and he’s certainly delivering on the promise he showed as a novice.

He’s looking for five on the bounce here, and he’s already won twice this season. Last time out he got the better of Sceau Royal around Wincanton in the Elite Hurdle.

Sceau Royal practically farmed this race in years gone by so that was a solid effort from Knappers Hill with all things considered.

He has a tougher task on now, but there must be a slight question mark with regards the track – he has not yet visited Cheltenham, so this will be an entirely new test on a unique course.

I Like To Move It is slowly but surely climbing the ranks, and he looks a very useful horse indeed. He won a G2 novice hurdle over C&D last year, before going on to finish a close second in the Betfair Hurdle (which was an exceptional run).

He made a bright start to life this season when winning the G3 Greatwood Hurdle (again over C&D) by 5 and a half lengths from the very well handicapped Gin Coco.

I Like To Move It shouldered a big weight there, and had the field strung out like washing. He looks a real hardy two miler – and he will not go down without a fight. Very likeable type for this.