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'Look, love, you've got to calm down' - behind the scenes with Epatante

Epatante (Barry Geraghty) wins the Champion HurdleCheltenham 10.3.20 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Epatante strolling home in the Champion HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Everything is going smoothly with Epatante in the build-up to next week's Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton – but it wasn't always that way.

The French madam flopped in the mares' novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 and her regular work-rider Sophie Candy, daughter of trainer Henry who also doubles up as Windsor's clerk of the course, says she went back to owner JP McManus's yard needing to chill out.

"I like to think when she summered at Martinstown last year, a few of the old pros in the paddock sat her down and said, 'Look, love, you've got to calm down and take it one step at a time,'" says Candy.

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Lambourn correspondent

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