She's back! Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante guns for Fighting Fifth riches

Betfair Fighting Fifth (Grade 1) | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV/Sky

Nicky Henderson is not a frequent visitor to Newcastle but he is a regular winner of its biggest jumps race and bids for a record-extending sixth success in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle with Epatante.

The meeting's annual clash with Newbury on Saturday means the trainer will be stationed closer to Lambourn but he will be seeking out a television to watch the JP McManus-owned six-year-old.

Epatante: (Barry Geraghty) wins the Champion HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

This time last year, Epatante gave notice of her ability in the senior hurdling ranks when landing the Listed Gerry Feilden Hurdle at Newbury before landing the Christmas Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle.

That contrasted with what happened on the same afternoon at Newcastle when Buveur D'Air, the dual Champion Hurdle winner, lost at odds of 2-13 when bidding for his third Fighting Fifth.

A mistake at the second-last led to him getting a splinter, which hampered his effort to chase down front-runner Cornerstone Lad, who scored at 16-1 and returns to defend his title this season.

Watch last year's Fighting Fifth Hurdle

Should Epatante come through the race smoothly, the Christmas Hurdle and Cheltenham is the likely path after the Fighting Fifth, which Henderson has won with Landing Light (2001), Punjabi (2008), My Tent Or Yours (2013) and Buveur D'Air (2017 and 2018).

"They'll go a good gallop, that's for sure," said the trainer. "There's bags of pace in this so they'll know they've been in a race but she's got pace. Everything has been fine with her, she's worked well and this race is good timing for the Christmas Hurdle next month."

Rejuvenated Sceau Royal a danger

As well as the danger posed by Cornerstone Lad, Epatante will have to contend with a rejuvenated Sceau Royal at Newcastle.

After finishing last in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the festival, Sceau Royal was switched back to hurdles by trainer Alan King, producing two eyecatching performances in the process.

The latest of those was in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton – a course where the nippy Sceau Royal has often run well – and King is approaching the Fighting Fifth with a positive frame of mind.

Sceau Royal winning at Ffos Las this seasonCredit: Getty Images/Pool

He said: "This has been the plansince his wins in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and Elite Hurdle. He's earned the right to have another crack at a race he finished fourth in back in 2016.

"He's in good order and worked very pleasingly on Saturday. It also looks as though he should get the decent ground that suits him."

What they say

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Not So Sleepy
He schooled really well the other day and has worked well, but I'd have loved a bit more rain. When he wins, you don't expect it, so you never know, but this is his seventh season racing and he's only got so many miles left on the clock. We're sort of having a go.

RIBBLE VALLEY and Brian Hughes wins at CARLISLE 22/10/20Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723Credit: John Grossick Racing

Nicky Richards, trainer of Ribble Valley
He's done everything well this time, and has enjoyed a good run up to the race. I'm looking forward to it. We'll find out if he's this class at Newcastle. He's a very exciting horse for hurdles or fences. His jumping is very good and he has a high cruising speed.

Evan Williams, trainer of Silver Streak
I think Epatante is a wonderful mare and the way she moved past her rivals in the Christmas Hurdle was impressive. Then she was arguably more impressive in the Champion Hurdle. She's a joy and we're realistic about our chances. We admired her at Kempton and Cheltenham and I suspect we'll do the same here.

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