Epatante heads six-strong Fighting Fifth field

LAST year’s winner Epatante heads a field of six for the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle tomorrow.

The 2020 Champion Hurdle heroine, trained by Nicky Henderson, comfortably took the prize by four and a quarter lengths from Sceau Royal last term.

Alan King’s nine-year-old has race fitness on his side this time, having won a Listed contest at Kempton and the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton this autumn as he seeks to reverse that form.

Evan Williams will be hoping for better luck with Silver Streak, who was taken out at the second flight by the loose Not So Sleepy in this race 12 months ago.

The grey has had the advantage of a run this season, finishing second to Sceau Royal at Kempton.

Hughie Morrison gives Not So Sleepy the chance to redeem himself on the back of a run on the flat at Doncaster five weeks ago.

He said: “He’s going to go and have a day out at Newcastle. Hopefully, he’ll behave better this time.

“He hadn’t jumped a hurdle for a while, like he hasn’t this time, but he’s always been one who has a look around when he’s doing something new. Hopefully he’ll be better this time now he knows the geography of the place a bit better.”

Monmiral had a tremendous first campaign over hurdles for trainer Paul Nicholls.

The four-year-old won all his four starts, culminating in the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.

The Iain Jardine-trained Voix De Reve, fourth last year, completes the line-up. Belfast Banter was the only withdrawal at the 48-hour final declaration stage.

Newcastle officials are bracing themselves for a stormy spell of weather ahead of the meeting.