>
News
Ante-post favourite Epatante among 36 entered in Champion Hurdle
Ante-post favourite Epatante heads a total of 36 entries for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Nicky Henderson-trained mare moved to the head of the market for the March 10 contest after running out a five-length winner in last month’s Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Epatante had previously won a Listed event at Newbury on her first start since disappointing when favourite for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at last season’s Festival.
Henderson holds a strong hand in the two-mile showpiece, despite the absence of injured dual winner Buveur D’Air.
The Seven Barrows trainer has also entered last year’s Triumph hero Pentland Hills, previous Grade One victor Verdana Blue, Fusil Raffles and Call Me Lord.
Willie Mullins is another with multiple options, headed by Morgiana winner Saldier and recent Matheson Hurdle scorer Sharjah.
Klassical Dream, winner of last year’s Supreme but disappointing so far this year, also features in a four-strong Closutton entry along with Aramon.
Henry de Bromhead’s Honeysuckle is unbeaten in six starts to date and she could be joined by stablemate Petit Mouchoir, while Gordon Elliott has included the rejuvenated Apple’s Jade in his seven contenders.
Elliott has also entered top novices Envoi Allen and Abacadabras, while the highly-touted Samcro – winner of the Ballymore in 2018 – is another possible although he has been novice chasing so far this term.
Last year’s third Silver Streak, three-times Grade One winner Supasundae and Betfair Exchange Trophy winner Not So Sleepy also feature.
Enjoy unrivalled coverage of the build-up to Cheltenham with a free one month trial of Racing TV! Click here to find out more details!
Related posts
Festival Trials Day: "I'd say that he is an absolute certainty"
Saturday ante-post tips at Cheltenham: two Trials Day selections
Now Is The Hour times it right in dramatic Thyestes
How good is Trials Day at producing Festival winners?
Friday tips: switch of yards can help Memory
Todays top offer
Bet £40 and get £20 in Free Bets with Fitzdares
T&Cs Apply
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets with BetVictor
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets with TalkSportBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets with Betano
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets + get money back if 2nd to SP fav with Boyle Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved