Champion Hurdle tips: Paddy Power’s pundits on who’ll win Cheltenham renewal

RUBY WALSH

I think this is a wide-open race. Epatante’s (7/2) form is rock-solid. What she’s doing this year which was a failing last year is her jumping. Her jumping got her beaten last year at Cheltenham.

Her jumping this year at Kempton was much better and I think that will see her home.

LIZZIE KELLY

I really like Nicky Henderson’s Epatante (7/2). She travelled really well at Kempton over Christmas. It looked like no matter where you were in the race, she had enough pace to make the move.

She appeared to run into a little bit of traffic and had to come around the outside, but she travel so well she can get you out of trouble.

The jumping was very slick, and wasted no time at all. She was from A to B without any bother.

FRANK HICKEY

I’m not so keen on Epatante. I think if this becomes a strongly run stamina test she’ll be found out. She’s a quick finisher and travels nice enough just I’m just not convinced.

I’ll be opposing her myself, even though a lot think she’s the banker of Day One.

Cilaos Emery’s jumping has been a bit sticky, he could improve on that certainly.

A bit of soft ground won’t harm him. From a pure ability point of view he’s got every chance here.

It’s a poor race this year, and I think if Cilaos Emery’s (6/1) jumping is sharp he can take it.

PADDY POWER

I quite like Supasundae as an each/way play. It’s being said it’s a weak Champion Hurdle so I think there could be a bit of value in the longer-price each/ways. Supasundae (10/1) has been eye-catching behind Honeysuckle before.

PAUL JACOBS

There’s a doubt about Epatante. If the weather goes as expected the ground could improve to good-to-soft for most of the track.

Verdana Blue (25/1) is not a sexy horse. Key to her chances is the ground drying out. If it is good-to-soft on the day I can’t see her being out of the frame.

*All odds correct at time of publication