NICKY Henderson has revealed that Champion Hurdle favourite Epatante is suffering from a cough.
The JP McManus-owned mare put herself firmly in the Cheltenham picture when winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
She has been towards the head of the betting for the day one Festival feature ever since, but following the news the bookies have pushed her right out, with Paddy Power going 9-2 from 10-3.
Henderson said: “In order to keep everybody in the picture, I regret to say Epatante has been coughing a few times over the last couple of days for no obvious reason that we can detect.
“Her blood tests are perfectly normal and she is feeling very well and fresh in herself.
“Obviously JP, I, and all the team could do without this scare, but this does not prevent her continuing her routine work.
“We will monitor the situation over the weekend and will regularly update everybody with any news.
“Both my vets and I are more than hopeful that this will not interfere with her Champion Hurdle preparation. She is now on medication which will not affect her racing or training.
“We will blood test and scope her again on Monday, when I will be in a better position to clarify the situation, which obviously we all hope will be positive news.
“I would like to make it very clear that, touch wood, she is the only horse that has coughed at Seven Barrows at any stage this week.”
Both Pentland Hills and Benie Des Dieux, who would need to be supplemented, have since been trimmed for the big race.
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