Epatante in the running for Fighting Fifth Hurdle

The Nicky Henderson-trained mare will be aiming to give trainer Nicky Henderson a sixth victory in the Grade One contest – with previous winners for Seven Barrows including Champion Hurdle victors Punjabi (2008) and Buveur D’Air (2017 and 2018).

The jockey booking will be intiguing given that Barry Geraghty, who rode the JP McManus-owned Epatante to victory at Cheltenham, has since retired from the saddle. McManus is yet to announce a successor.

Micky Hammond’s Cornerstone Lad, the mount of Henry Brooke, caused a surprise 12 months ago when he edged out Buveur D’Air – who it transpired had suffered a nasty injury during the race – and Silver Streak (Evan Williams) in a thrilling finish.

Cornerstone Lad has had two starts on the Flat in preparation for his title defence, most recently making all to win a 14-furlong handicap at Redcar.

Five horses have won back-to-back runnings of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, with Buveur D’Air the first to do so since the late Malcolm Jefferson’s Dato Star (1998 and 1999).

Middleham-based Hammond said of his six-year-old: “Cornerstone Lad is in great form. It was fantastic to win the race last year and it gave us one of the biggest days in my training career.

“We are strongly considering going over fences with him. That is something we will discuss more after the Fighting Fifth. He had a lovely summer out in the paddocks and then came back and has already had two spins on the Flat.”

He added: “We are aware that he will be taking on more top-class opposition, but it is lovely to have a horse like him in the yard and we are looking forward to trying to defend his crown.”

Popular veteran Thistlecrack could return to action in next month’s Marsh Hurdle at Ascot. The Grade One contest, which is better known as the Long Walk Hurdle, is under consideration for the Colin Tizzard-trained 12-year-old, who lifted the three mile-prize back in 2015 under Tom Scudamore.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Thistlecrack showed plenty of his old ability on his sole start last season, finishing second in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

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