Epatante cruises to confidence-boosting victory at Doncaster
- Planet Sport writer
- 28 January 2023
Nicky Henderson’s hurdler Epatante had no problems in getting back to winning ways in the Sky Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle.
A multiple Grade One winner against the boys, she has found life tough this season - taking on her esteemed stablemate Constitution Hill in both the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles.
With races at Cheltenham and Haydock called off in recent weeks due to the adverse weather she was back in against her sex at Doncaster and the red-hot favourite to oblige.
Nico de Boinville - on board for the first time since winning the 2021 Christmas Hurdle on her - never had a moment of worry and let her off the leash approaching the last on the way to a six-and a-half-length win from Salsada.
"She felt great today, jumped really well and travelled away great, it's nice for her to pick one up like this," said De Boinville.
"It gives you an idea how good Constitution Hill is, but the team at home had her in really good shape for this today.
"Aidan (Coleman) said she felt fantastic at Kempton and she did today, it will be interesting to she where they decide to go at Cheltenham."
