'I got there a bit soon' - Epatante and Not So Sleepy tie in thrilling dead-heat

Some sequels are better than the original. The Godfather Part II is a perfect case on the silver screen and Epatante versus Not So Sleepy in the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle is a prime example on turf.

Last season, their clash was more farce than drama. Not So Sleepy lived up to his reputation for quirkiness, jinking right and unseating his rider at the first, carrying out Silver Streak when racing loose and allowing the Champion Hurdle winner Epatante to score easily.

There were thrills enough for the sternest critic and a cliffhanger ending this time. Epatante was cruising three out but had to be switched right and needed to find plenty on snow-softened ground.

Not So Sleepy, playing a more significant role this time, led and blundered two out, but rallied once headed at the final hurdle, with best supporting actor Sceau Royal threatening strongly on his inside.

The two leaders went past together and it required almost as long as it took the race to be run for the judge to announce the first dead-heat in the history of the race, which was first run in 1969.

Epatante (far side), Not So Sleepy (middle) and Sceau Royal jumped the last almost in tandemCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Epatante's jockey Aidan Coleman feared the worst before the result was called and he admitted: "I was very sceptical, I was being a bit negative as I was there a bit soon but all credit to the two of them.

"It was a great race – it's hard when you're in the race but it's one of those when you'll look back at the battle they had from the back of the last and you'll say it was the fairest result.

"You always want to win, especially Grade 1s, you don't want to be sharing them but at the same time it's a good result."

Fighting Fifth Hurdle: replay and full result

Coleman believes the Nicky Henderson-trained mare, who won the 2020 Champion Hurdle and was third in March, ran well in a contest the yard has now won – or shared – a record-extending seven times.

"Considering she wasn't very comfortable the whole way, she jumped brilliantly," he said. "I think the back operation has really worked.

"She showed a lot of tenacity today from turning into the straight when it was really getting a bit tough. The ground with snow on was quite gluey and hard work and she was really struggling, that's why I was forced into committing a bit sooner than I wanted."

Jonathan Burke (blue silkas) and Aidan Coleman pose with Not So Sleepy and Epatante after their Fighting Fifth dead-heatCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Jonathan Burke had no idea of the result as Not So Sleepy crossed the line and he said: "I really didn't know, I was hoping more than anything – we'll take the dead-heat.

"As the day progressed the ground worsened and that helped my horse's chances. We went back to riding him aggressively and he likes being in the thick of it. When the others came either side of him he really stuck his head out for me."

He has happy memories of the hurdler, who gave trainer Hughie Morrison his first winner at Newcastle, and said: "He's been great for my career. I won a big hurdle at Ascot on him in December 2019.

"He deserved that. It's great to win. Sharing it is different but it's a great result. I'd imagine he'll run in all the top two-mile races after that. He didn't disgrace himself in the Champion Hurdle last year."

Daryl Jacob rued the deteriorating weather after good-ground specialist Sceau Royal finished a length and a half back in third.

The jockey said: "We had every chance jumping the last but obviously the ground's gone against my lad. I'm very proud of him."

Read Saturday's race reports:

Ladbrokes Trophy: Venetia Williams pays tribute to Trevor Hemmings after Cloudy Glen heroics

Newbury: 'It's the ability he has' - impressive Ahoy Senor excites emotional Russell

Newcastle: Gutsy Aye Right finally has his day to the delight of Graham and Bewley

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