Try these each-way alternatives in a unique Champion Hurdle

The weakness of this year's Champion Hurdle seems to have been established beyond question since before Christmas. Injuries are primarily to blame, but for nearly every unlucky set of connections there is also a messy piece of form.

Predicting what races will be denigrated as they disappear in the rear-view mirror is tougher than might be expected. Newmill's Champion Chase, Sublimity's Champion Hurdle nor Penhill's Stayers' Hurdle got the same hammering as this race in the build-up. Last year's Champion Hurdle was built up to be weak, only to be won in record-breaking style by the ill-fated Espoir D'Allen.

There is a way to keep the Champion Hurdle simple and it is also the most hopeful stance from the perspective of the 2020 running's historic standing. The 17 runners between them have produced one championship-standard performance this season: Epatante's win in the Christmas Hurdle.