Is there anything to beat Epatante? Searching for Champion Hurdle contenders

On the back of a six-and-a-half-length defeat at prohibitive odds of 1-5, there would usually be a queue to oppose the short-priced favourite in the Champion Hurdle ante-post market. But where are Epatante's rivals coming from?

In February last year, I found myself writing a very similar introduction to this column. Cilaos Emery had just been nominated for the Champion Hurdle due to a lack of bona fide challengers in that sphere, despite being better known for his chasing exploits, and was actually sent off second favourite on the day.

Epatante, who was strong at the head of the market despite having plenty to prove, duly went on to record an easy three-length success. A year on and we may get the same story.