Who takes on Honeysuckle in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle on Friday?

Honeysuckle will face five rivals in her bid for consecutive wins in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle (5.25) and her task has been made easier after Epatante was not declared for Friday's feature.

The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old will instead contest the Coolmore Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle on Saturday along with stablemate Marie's Rock.

McManus will be represented in the Champion Hurdle with Saint Roi, who finished fourth to Honeysuckle at the Cheltenham Festival, and Darasso, with Echoes In Rain and Teahupoo completing the home challenge.

The David Pipe-trained Adagio, who finished eighth in the Champion Hurdle, is the sole British runner.

Honeysuckle, trained by Henry de Bromhead and the mount of Rachael Blackmore, is a remarkable 15-15 under rules and beat Epatante, a subsequent winner at Aintree, by three and a half lengths in the Champion Hurdle last month.

This will be Honeysuckle's second start at Punchestown having defeated Sharjah by two and a quarter lengths in this race last year.

County Hurdle winner State Man and Mersey Novices' Hurdle scorer Three Stripe Life are among six declarations for the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (6.00) – a race won by Vautour, Nichols Canyon and Gaillard Du Mesnil since 2014.

Mullins also runs Kilcruit and Deploy The Getaway, while Flame Bearer and Highland Charge complete the field.

'Epatante will be tough nut to crack'

Epatante proved her stamina for 2m4f when landing the Aintree Hurdle this month and is the evens favourite for the Mares Champion Hurdle on Saturday.

Stablemate Marie's Rock arrives on the back of a Grade 1 win in the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and will have plenty of support on course.

Tom Palin, a partner in owners Middleham Park Racing, said: "We've had 24 owner and trainer passes confirmed for the syndicate in recent days and a big team will be heading over in support.

"Epatante will be a tough nut to crack but Marie’s Rock is a top-level winner and we have to go for it – she’s in arguably better form than when she was going into Cheltenham and it's really exciting for everyone involved.

“We’re already living the dream with her and if we can continue it for longer then even better. It would be nice to go over to Ireland and do it in their backyard and in Marie's Rock and Epatante, Mr Henderson has a very strong hand in the race.”

Confirmed runners and riders for Champion Hurdle

AdagioTom Scudamore
DarassoLuke Dempsey
Saint RoiMark Walsh
TeahupooRobbie Power
Echoes In RainPaul Townend
HoneysuckleRachael Blackmore

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