Epatante backed for 2021 Champion Hurdle repeat ahead of Fighting Fifth test

Can the mare reclaim her crown at next year’s Cheltenham Festival?

Our traders have cut Epatante to 11/4 (from 7/2) favourite for the Champion Hurdle, following support for the mare ahead of her reappearance at Newcastle this weekend. 

She is also 8/13 favourite for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, with Sceau Royal the 5/1 second favourite.

“Punters aren’t expecting a repeat of the shock defeat of Buveur D’Air in last year’s Fighting Fifth, with Epatante not just odds-on for Saturday’s race, but popular in ante-post betting to retain her Champion Hurdle crown next March,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

Elsewhere, Cloth Cap has been trimmed to 10/1 by Coral (from 12/1) for the Ladbrokes Trophy, for which The Conditional remains the 6/1 market leader.

Shishkin to remain unbeaten this season (must run at least three times)

5/2

Who will finish the season with the higher official rating

8/11 Shishkin, Evens Envoi Allen,

Champion Hurdle

11/4 (from 7/2) Epatante, 6/1 Abacadabras, Saint Roi, 8/1 Goshen, 10/1 Honeysuckle, 12/1 Buveur D’Air, 16/1 Aspire Tower,

Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle

11/8 Paisley Park, 5/2 McFabulous, 9/2 Summerville Boy, 11/2 Thyme Hill, 7/1 Lisnagar Oscar, 10/1 Honest Vic, Sam Spinner, 14/1 Aux Ptits Soins, 16/1 Vision Des Flos, 33/1 Bar

Ladbrokes Trophy

6/1 The Conditional, 8/1 Aye Right, Copperhead, Kildisart, Vinndication, 9/1 Black Op, 10/1 (from 12/1) Cloth Cap, Sam Brown, Two For Gold, 12/1 Secret Investor, 16/1 Danny Whizzbang, 20/1 Beware The Bear, Mister Malarkey, Potterman, 25/1 Bar 

Fighting Fifth Hurdle

8/13 Epatante, 5/1 Sceau Royal, 11/2 Silver Streak, 7/1 Ribble Valley, 10/1 Cornerstone Lad, 16/1 Marie’s Rock, 25/1 Not So Sleepy, 66/1 Bar

Tingle Creek Chase

5/4 Altior, 4/1 Greaneteen, 11/2 Politologue, 8/1 Defi Du Seuil, Rouge Vif, 10/1 Duc Des Genievres, 16/1 Brewinupastorm, Magic Saint, Waiting Patiently, 25/1 Bar

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase

9/4 Cyrname, 5/2 Clan Des Obeaux, 7/1 Lostintranslation, 10/1 Allaho, Monalee, 12/1 Champ, 16/1 Fakir D’Oudairies, Kemboy, Real Steel, 20/1 Frodon, 25/1 Bar

Coral Welsh Grand National

12/1 Copperhead, Potters Corner, 14/1 Notachance, Ramses De Teillee, 16/1 At The Acorn, Cloudy Glen, Native River, Yala Enki, Truckers Lodge, Sam Brown, Lord Du Mesnil, 20/1 Discorama, Springfield Fox, Newtide, The Two Amigos, Deise Aba, Dominateur, Lamanver Pippin, 25/1 Bar

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.