Epatante ahead of first win of the season

Haydock, Saturday 21 January: Excellent steeplechase racing comes from Haydock today, where the Group 2 Champion Hurdle Trial (4th race/15.05pm/£75,000/3149m) takes centre stage.

Following the early withdrawal of For Pleasure, five horses are still eligible to start. Epatante (Aidan Coleman) is the horse to beat after two honourable defeats each behind Constitution Hill. The €1 million-plus nine-year-old will be tested by I Like to Move It (Sam Twiston-Davies), who is among the narrowest favourites after one winning and one faulty performance each at Cheltenham. Minella Drama (Brian Hughes) won at Musselburgh and recommended himself for better assignments. Nell`s Son (Danny McMenamin), a reliable forward runner, is even more likely to surprise than Jason The Militant (Joe Williamson).