Binocular In Fine Form for Champion Hurdle Trial

The Champion Hurdle ante post favourite put his credentials on the line this week in the Boylesports Interantional Hurdle and Nick Henderson could not be more happy with is charge.

"His jumping has always been very efficient. You can tell very early on with these horses who have come off the Flat whether their jumping will be any good. For some of them it is very easy while we have to spend quite a long time teaching others. "You probably saw him jumping the other day at Haydock, it is just terribly easy for him. He has got a very good technique and is very quick like a proper hurdler. That is not to say he won't jump a fence but he doesn't need to at the moment.

"Binocular has always enjoyed it and he does his work well. The day he won at Ascot the first time out, I thought he was good but I didn't realise he would be this good. "He had a very good summer too. He went back to Martinstown Stud, where all JP's (McManus the owner) go back for the summer. He came back here looking absolutely fabulous and he is stronger"

"AP no doubt will hang on to Binocular a bit longer (than he did in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at The Cheltenham Festival in March). The hill is not in the back of my mind. Binocular came up it OK last season. "We have been happy with Binocular since Haydock last month.- we really appreciate that race being put on and I hope it is there next year.

"I don't think the ground matters to him - the hurdle course at Haydock was quick but he has run in soft ground. I am not worried about the ground but I could be standing there on Saturday and saying he does not go on the ground. The main thing on Saturday is that we will find things out."

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