Henderson likely to keep wraps on Champion Hurdle favourite Epatante until March

Epatante, who surged to the top of the Unibet Champion Hurdle market after her hugely impressive Grade 1 victory at Kempton on Boxing Day, is likely to be kept under wraps until defending her new lofty reputation at Cheltenham in March.

A Champion Hurdle that seemed short of star quality received a timely boost when the JP McManus-owned Epatante followed up her easy Newbury handicap success with a five-length defeat of Silver Streak in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.

Epatante: leads over the final flight to win the Christmas HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

The festive romp means Epatante has now won four of her five starts over hurdles, the only reverse coming when she managed just ninth as 15-8 favourite in the Mares' Novice Hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival.

Having been 33-1 for the Champion Hurdle at the start of the season, she is now a best-priced 4-1, placing her marginally in front of the Willie Mullins-trained Klassical Dream, who runs at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Henderson said: "After speaking with JP we are thinking, 'do we need to run Epatante again before Cheltenham'? We know she is definitely going for the Champion Hurdle and she has already earned her place in the line-up.

"I've always thought a lot of her and actually felt she was one of our best chances going into last season's festival. That wasn't to be, but I don't think it was anything to do with Cheltenham, so I don't feel I need to suddenly rush out and run her on an undulating track.

"It's a bizarre situation because if you had looked at our squad a month ago you would have said we had Buveur D'Air, Fusil Raffles and Pentland Hills as a strong hand for the Champion Hurdle.

"I was pleased with Pentland Hills first time out but we've lost Buveur D'Air for the time being – he is mending very well but won't be back this season – and Fusil Raffles was a big disappointment at Kempton. All of a sudden, though, we have found another one in the cupboard in Epatante."

Sam Twiston-Davies celebrates after winning the King George on Clan Des ObeauxCredit: Edward Whitaker

Also likely to head directly to the festival is Ladbrokes King George VI Chase winner Clan Des Obeaux, whose stablemate Cyrname – beaten 21 lengths into second on his first attempt at three miles – is due to seek back-to-back triumphs in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

"Cyrname was a bit stiff this morning but other than that he was fine, and Clan was A1," said trainer Paul Nicholls.

"My gut feeling is Clan should go straight to the Gold Cup. We know he goes well fresh and we don't need to prove anything before Cheltenham. I haven't spoken with Cyrname's owner Johnny de la Hey, but I'd say it's almost certain we'll go for the Ascot Chase next."

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