MADDY PLAYLE

1. Honeysuckle 2. Epatante 3. Sharjah

It looks as though this will again go to a mare, but not the one who came home in front last year. There is cause for concern with Epatante, who was disappointing in the Christmas Hurdle and has reportedly had an issue with her back, while she arguably faces stronger opposition this year. Her main rival is Honeysuckle, who has yet to be beaten in her career and took her form to another level when dominant in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, when her jumping was really slick.