held up in touch in mid-division on outside, closed from 6th, not fluent 8th, shaken up after 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along and effort before not fluent 3 out, no impression, left 4th last
led until before 3 out, disputing 2nd when hampered by faller and unseated rider last
chased leader, not fluent 5th, led before 3 out, pressed 2 out, soon headed and edged right, left in 2nd just after last, dropped to 3rd flat, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear on inside, ridden 3 out, staying on when mistake last, left 3rd soon after, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden and joined when fell last
held up behind leaders, travelled strongly, closed going well when switched right before 2 out, disputing lead going best when left in clear lead last, easily
Epatante outpaced Glory And Fortune to win the Christmas Hurdle in December and ran right up to her best when confirming that form in the Champion Hurdle last month, also finishing a length ahead of ZANAHIYR. But Nicky Henderson’s mare is all about speed and could get caught out trying 2m4f for the first time. Gordon Elliott’s five-year-old has won over 2m2f, however, and should be suited by the step up in trip. Brewin'upastorm was only fifth in this last year but still finished ahead of Mcfabulous and he beat Guard Your Dreams and Monmiral when second in the National Spirit at Fontwell in February.
Brewin'upastorm (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, good headway out wide into 3rd before 2 out, close 2nd 2 out, led before last, 2 lengths ahead last, driven and wandered run-in, headed near finish, 2nd of 6, hd behind Botox Has (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
Glory And Fortune (IRE) 150-1 (11-10) Held up in rear on inside, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 2 out, 7th after final bend, stayed on flat, went 5th close home, never nearer, 5th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Guard Your Dreams 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders on inside, switched right and effort out wide 2 out, ridden between last two, went well held 3rd and hit last, hung badly right and no impression run-in, 3rd of 6, 7 1/4l behind Botox Has (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
McFabulous (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Kept wide in 4th, closer in 3rd before 3 out, every chance 2 out, pushed along out wide before the last, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 24 1/4l behind Paisley Park (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Jan.
Monmiral (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader, led briefly before 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, no extra in 3rd, weakened into 4th at the last, 4th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Botox Has (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
Zanahiyr (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) Chasing leaders after 1st, prominent from 3rd, every chance 2 out, 3rd and looking held when jumped left last, no impression on winner flat but kept on to press for 2nd until held by that rival towards finish, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Epatante (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division on inside, closed 4th, pushed along after 2 out, driven and switched left before last, went 1 1/2 lengths 2nd when mistake and lost footing at last, no impression on winner after, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
