Cheltenham Festival 2021: Not So Sleepy on course for Champion Hurdle challenge

Not So Sleepy is bang on course to emerge from his winter break for a Champion Hurdle challenge next month.

Trainer Hughie Morrison is content with the long-term plan to keep his dual Betfair Exchange Trophy hero fresh for the Cheltenham Festival.

Morrison so far fears only Ireland's brilliant, unbeaten and Festival-winning mare Honeysuckle, following her hugely impressive 10-length triumph in last weekend's Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Otherwise, the Berkshire trainer has enjoyed watching Not So Sleepy's potential rivals scramble to fit in their Cheltenham prep runs through the wintry weather of the past month - with the waters muddying along the way.

"As it gets closer, usually the races start to look more difficult - and I have to say Honeysuckle was very impressive on Sunday," he said. "She quickened up, and they couldn't go with her, could they?

"I suspect the race (Champion Hurdle) could be set up for her as well. The rest of them, I wouldn't be frightened of taking on."

Among them, Nicky Henderson's title-holder Epatante met with a shock defeat behind Silver Streak in Kempton's Christmas Hurdle - and has since reportedly had successful treatment for a suspected back issue.

The mercurial Not So Sleepy made an early exit when swerving and unseating his rider as Epatante went on to win the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November, only to return three weeks later with an all-the-way victory as he retained his crown in the valuable Grade Three at Ascot.

Morrison announced there and then that, unlike last year, there would be no attempt at another big handicap pot in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury - due to be run this weekend if the freezing temperatures abate in time.

Twelve months ago, habitual front-runner Not So Sleepy was hampered at the start in the Betfair and never got into the race, before being pulled up in the Champion Hurdle a month later.

Morrison has not been tempted to give the same schedule a second shot.

He said: "Last year, we weren't sold on going to Newbury - but he was in such good form two weeks after (Ascot) we decided to, and I think he then just probably flattened out in the middle of January, and we never really got him back."

This time, a winter breather followed Not So Sleepy's mid-December win - and as long as no snow interrupts his remaining preparations at home, all is well.

"We gave him a break afterwards really," added Morrison. "We kept him going, then gave him a week or so off at the beginning of January, not really doing anything.

"Touch wood, I think that's paid dividends. He's a difficult horse to judge, but I'd like to think he's in good form at the moment. We took him back to build him up again. We (just) wouldn't want snow now, that's all."

PA

Racing coverage is brought to you in association with Betfair. Build your free bet pot for Cheltenham with Betfair. Bet £20 across UK & Irish racing, Get £10 free bet on the Cheltenham Festival. Runs every Saturday. Terms: Min £20 in Exch bets on Saturday races, excludes ante-post. Max £10 free bet per qualifying day, awarded 15/03. Betfair Rewards 'Basic' customers excluded. T&Cs apply