2.25 Cheltenham, Saturday - The International Hurdle
A small but select field for what's often a cracking Grade 2 at jump racing's mecca.
Epatante heads the market - sharpened by that chastening view of Constitution Hill's backside at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago in the Fighting Fifth. Plenty will be viewing similarly, injury notwithstanding, in the coming seasons.
She's a Champion hurdler just past her very considerable prime in my opinion, but still 'only' 8 years old. Can she repel some raiders here with younger legs? She's arguably the class of the field, but at around 5/4, does the Henderson/McManus heroine appeal as the likely winner?
Bet on Horse Racing with Betfred here
Notable amongst her rivals is the Twiston-Davies conveyance I Like To Move It, at around 2/1. Nice winner of a Grade 3 at the last meeting, but was soundly beaten in last season's County Hurdle at the Festival.
That last success represented a big step up for me, and the stable think plenty of this talented 5-yr-old. Officially rated here only 2lbs below Epatante, but one pound behind Knappers Hill, another very exciting Nicholls/Cobden inmate.
This one took the Elite at Wincanton last time from that brilliant yardstick Sceau Royal, and trades at around 7/2 here. Absolutely every chance.
First Street for Nicky Henderson (trainer is pictured above) appears after an impressive win at the master handler's beloved Newbury. Second in last season's County Hurdle, this is an important campaign for the 5-yr-old as to what he can achieve in the game. Adds a great deal of spice to an already potent dish, at around 11/2.
Time to nail colours firmly to the mast. The younger guns can make life difficult for Epatante, and I'm hopeful that stablemate Fleet Street, impressive in that Gerry Fielden and a great run behind State Man at the Festival, is the one. What a fantastic race we have in prospect. Enjoy!
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