Nicky Henderson has saddled the Christmas Hurdle winner on eight occasions, with
Verdana Blue his most recent winner. Soft ground is a concern for last year's gritty victor, while stablemate
Fusil Raffles was only workmanlike in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. Therefore, the progressive mare
Epatante may prove strongest of the Henderson trio. Cheltenham's International Hurdle holds relevant clues with
Ballyandy (second),
Ch'tibello (third) and
ELIXIR DE NUTZ (seventh) all recommencing battle. The speculative selection missed a tilt at the Supreme Novices' (lame) and unsurprisingly needed the run on seasonal reappearance. He deserves another chance.
- Elixir De Nutz
- Epatante
- Fusil Raffles