Epatante, Honeysuckle and Goshen declared for epic Champion Hurdle showdown

Honeysuckle and Epatante, the two superstar mares at the head of the betting for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, have both been declared for the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

Goshen, aiming for redemption after his final-hurdle heartbreak in the Triumph Hurdle last year, is also declared with a field of ten set to go to post for one of the most anticipated races of the meeting.

Unibet Champion Hurdle card and betting

The remainder of the British challenge comes from Epatante’s Christmas Hurdle conqueror Silver Streak – lining up in his third Champion Hurdle – and the Hughie Morrison-trained Not So Sleepy.

The Irish contingent looks strong with the festival's winningmost trainer Willie Mullins declaring last year's runner-up Sharjah, French recruit James Du Berlais and Saldier.

Morgiana Hurdle winner Abacadabras, who was narrowly beaten by Shishkin in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, will run for Denise 'Sneezy' Foster after she took over the reins from Gordon Elliott.

Along with the unbeaten Honeysuckle, trainer Henry de Bromhead also runs Aspire Tower but scratched Jason The Militant, who was one of four withdrawn from the contest.

Honeysuckle: will run in the Champion Hurdle if she wins at LeopardstownCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

As confirmed by Tom Symonds on Saturday, Song For Someone was taken out along with Petit Mouchoir and For Pleasure.

Aidan Coleman continues his partnership aboard last year’s emphatic winner Epatante, whose trainer Nicky Henderson is aiming for a record-extending tenth triumph in the race.

Victory would see Epatante become the first mare to win two Champion Hurdles, although she must bounce back from a below-par showing at Kempton over Christmas.

Her biggest opposition appears to be another mare, Honeysuckle, who is a perfect ten from ten under rules and leapt into favouritism after a dominant display in the Irish Champion Hurdle last month. That persuaded connections to aim for this race rather than the Mares’ Hurdle, which the seven-year-old won last year.

Out to spoil the mares party is the Gary Moore-trained Goshen, who had endured a difficult season before trouncing his opposition in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. Jamie Moore will again be in the saddle having been unceremoniously unseated when acres clear at last year's festival.

Goshen unseats Jamie Moore after the final hurdle in last year's Triumph HurdleCredit: Getty Images

No matter the outcome, the name of a new jockey will be written into Champion Hurdle history with the only two active riders to have won the race – Richard Johnson and Mark Walsh – not booked to ride.

Champion Hurdle confirmed runners and riders

Abacadabras Jack Kennedy
Aspire Tower Robbie Power
Goshen Jamie Moore
James Du Berlais Daryl Jacob
Not So Sleepy Jonathan Burke
Saldier Danny Mullins
Sharjah Paul Townend
Silver Streak Tom O’Brien
Epatante Aidan Coleman
Honeysuckle Rachael Blackmore

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