26th-Dec-2019

I wanted to get Epatante on side on Tuesday, she looked well over-priced, there was always a chance the market would correct itself, and that is what has happened.

JP McManus’ mare is a really exciting mare.  She was unbeaten last season until the Cheltenham Festival.  She was sent off as 15/8 favourite for the mares’ novices’ hurdle there where she disappointed.  But that was a messy enough race, and she raced in a hood for the first time.

The hood was discarded for her debut this season, when she was really impressive in winning the Gerry Feilden Hurdle.  She showed a turn of foot that day that suggested she could be a high-class mare.  She could be Champion Hurdle class.

This is not a strong renewal of the Christmas Hurdle.  I think that Fusil Raffles is a weak favourite.  He looked very good as a juvenile hurdler last season, but sophomores can struggle, and he wasn’t impressive in beating Grand Sancy in the Elite Hurdle on his seasonal return.

I am more afraid of Epatante’s other stable companion Verdana Blue, she would prefer better ground than she is going to get, but there is a chance that she will get away with it.  Silver Streak is a horse I like too, but he is another who would prefer better ground, and Epatante is the bet.

EPATANTE WON (ADV 6/1, SP 2/1)