Nicky Henderson's hopeful bolstered her claims with a win at Exeter.
Epatante made it two from two for trainer Nicky Henderson with a win at Exeter and she’s now the joint favourite to win the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
Shortening from 7/2 as far as 5/2 in places, she’s priced at 3/1 with most bookies. That puts her level in the market with Henry De Bromhead’s Honeysuckle (7/2), who is also unbeaten this season.
Going off heavily odds-on with little competition at Exeter, Barry Geraghty barely had to ask as the five-year-old cruised to victory on Friday afternoon.
Punters are as excited as Henderson appears to be about Epatante’s prospects, with 82% of bets on the Mares’ Novices’ in the last 24 hours going on her.
Having impressed on her hurdling debut at Kempton in November, the Grade 1 French bumper winner now looks to be on target for a win on the big stage.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “Nicky Henderson was unequivocal in his praise for his young mare earlier in the week and she certainly didn’t let him down at Exeter despite it only being her second run this season.
“The five-year-old is now the leading candidate for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham - a race that has been won by some extremely talented horses in the last three years in Limini, Let's Dance and Laurina.”
