Binocular given Champion go-ahead :: Horse Racing News

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02:52 Friday 10th February 2012

Updated: 12th March 2010

Binocular given Champion go-ahead

PA News

Nicky Henderson has confirmed that Binocular will run in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Third in the race last year, there had been a doubt about the participation of JP McManus's six-year-old for some time following a couple of below-par efforts this season.

He had been ruled out of the race by Henderson on February 17 after suffering a muscle problem, but following a pleasing schooling session on Wednesday, he came through a gallop this morning with flying colours.

The trainer said: "All three of mine will now run in the Champion. Binocular will be ridden by AP (McCoy), Barry (Geraghty) will ride Punjabi and Andrew Tinkler will now ride Zaynar. They are all very well and all three are pleasing me."

Geraghty admits the decision to side with Punjabi was not an easy one, but his recent success at Kempton left the jockey impressed.

On his blog on www.attheraces.com, Geraghty said: "After a lot of hard thinking, I'm going to stay loyal and ride Punjabi in the Champion Hurdle.

"It was not an easy decision to make because Zaynar is a very talented horse that any jockey would want to ride, but I couldn't get off the reigning Champion Hurdler when he's in such good form.

"He's done it on the big stage and he knows what to expect on the big day. But more important still, he just gave me the most unbelievable feel at Kempton, when he really picked up impressively.

"I'm sure he is simply a spring horse and just comes to himself at this time of year, it was just a much better feel at Kempton to the one he gave me the time before at Haydock.

"It is a tribute to the team that Binocular is now back in the picture. I got the impression Nicky was buzzing after he schooled last week."