Henderson down to four as final Champion Hurdle field is revealed

The Nicky Henderson-trained Epatante heads a final field of 17 for the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

An impressive winner of the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day, Epatante is the general 3-1 favourite to give Henderson a record-breaking eighth win in Tuesday's race.

Among the mare's rivals are stablemates Pentland Hills, Fusil Raffles and Call Me Lord, the last named the winner of the International Hurdle at the track in December. Verdana Blue, winner of the 2018 Christmas Hurdle, does not feature.

The supplemented Cilaos Emery and Sharjah head Willie Mullins' team for the Champion Hurdle, while last year's third Silver Streak returns for a second attempt at the contest. Irish Champion Hurdle runner-up Darver Star bids to give Gavin Cromwell a second successive strike after Espoir D'Allen's brilliant success last year.

Benie Des Dieux and Honeysuckle feature among ten in a fascinating Close Brothers' Mares' Hurdle, with last year's heroine Roksana lining up under Harry Skelton.

The opening race of the festival, the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, features 16 runners, including impressive Leopardstown scorer Asterion Forlonge and Shishkin. Chantry House, Fiddlerontheroof and Edwardstone also feature.

Henry de Bromhead has several live chances next week and Notebook, unbeaten in four starts over fences, heads a final field of 11 for the Racing Post Arkle. British hope Brewin'upastorm and Grade 1 scorer Fakir D'Oudairies have also been declared.

A maximum field of 24 has been declared for the Ultima Handicap, including big-race Kempton winners Who Dares Wins and Mister Malarkey. Carefully Selected and Lord Du Mesnil head 14 for the National Hunt Chase, while 20 will line up for the Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase. Whatmore and Sensulano are the two reserves for the novice handicap.

Champion Hurdle final field

Ballyandy Sam Twiston-Davies
Call Me Lord James Bowen
Cilaos Emery Paul Townend
Coeur Sublime Davy Russell
Cornerstone Lad Henry Brooke
Darasso Mark Walsh
Darver Star Jonathan Moore
Fusil Raffles Daryl Jacob
Gumball Richard Johnson
Le Patriote Charlie Hammond
Not So Sleepy Jonathan Burke
Pentland Hills Nico de Boinville
Petit Mouchoir Rachael Blackmore
Sharjah Patrick Mullins
Silver Streak Adam Wedge
Supasundae Robbie Power
Epatante Barry Geraghty

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