Benie Des Dieux Champion Hurdle favourite after Epatante revealed to be coughing

Benie Des Dieux has usurped Epatante at the head of the Unibet Champion Hurdle betting after Nicky Henderson revealed the Christmas Hurdle winner has been coughing this week.

The JP McManus-owned Epatante drifted to 9-2 (from 3-1) with Paddy Power after Henderson raised the concerns on Twitter on Thursday afternoon, although he remains "more than hopeful" that Epatante’s preparation for Cheltenham will not be affected.

Epatante is being treated with medication and blood tests have shown no abnormalities with the star mare, who gained a first top-level success over hurdles at Kempton on December 26.

William Hill, Betfair Sportsbook and the race sponsors also enhanced Epatante's price to 9-2.

Benie Des Dieux, who is also a hot favourite for the Close Brothers Hurdle that she landed two years ago, is a general 5-2 market leader for the Champion Hurdle, for which she would need supplementing. Unibet are offering a standout 6-1.

Henderson said: “In order to keep everybody in the picture I regret to say Epatante has been coughing a few times over the last couple of days for no obvious reason that we can detect.

“Her blood tests are perfectly normal and she is feeling very well and fresh in herself. Obviously JP, I, and all the team could do without this scare but this does not prevent her continuing her routine work.

“We will monitor the situation over the weekend and will regularly update everybody with any news. Both my vets and I are more than hopeful this will not interfere with her Champion Hurdle preparation.

“She’s now on medication which will not affect her racing or training. We will blood test and scope her again on Monday when I will be in a better position to clarify the situation, which obviously we all hope will be positive news.

“I would like to make it very clear that, touch wood, she is the only horse who has coughed at Seven Barrows at any stage this week.”

Epatante is one of five entries in the race for Henderson, whose other contenders are last year's Triumph Hurdle hero Pentland Hills, International Hurdle scorer Call Me Lord, Fusil Raffles and Verdana Blue.

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