Last year’s 6/4 Champion Hurdle favourite, Binocular, could still run in the 2010 edition, despite having previously been ruled out by trainer Nicky Henderson.

It had been reported that Binocular was suffering from a muscle problem, but he has now been given the thumbs up from the vets at the Henderson yard.

The French-bred hurdler has been beaten twice by Go Native this season, but a win in a Listed Hurdle event at Sandown Park led to renewed optimism about his Champion Hurdle bid this year.

Binocular (pictured) is a best-priced 12/1 now with Boylesports to be crowned Champion Hurdler, in what looks to be a wide open race without any outstanding candidate. William Hill go 10/1 and will refund you bet if he doesn’t line up.

He is a 20/1 chance on Betfair, as there is still a doubt that he will run. Layers have a chance to collect their winnings before the race is even run, but should he line up, they could face damaging liabilities. £52 has been matched at 999/1!

AP McCoy would be retained to ride Binocular for his boss JP McManus, which would leave Zaynar jockey-less, as it has been understood that Barry Geraghty will ride last year’s champion Punjabi. Top jockeys Ruby Walsh and Paddy Brennan both have fancied rides, so it may mean that Felix De Giles gets the leg up on Victor Chandler’s grey star.

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The Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle is run over 2m110y and comprises 8 hurdles. It will be run on the Old Course at 3.20pm on Tuesday 10 March.

The antepost betting has revolved around Nicky Henderson’s Binocular (pictured), who is now best priced at 6/4.

He hurdles very gracefully and is a strong traveller. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go odds-on in running. He didn’t get up the hill when finishing 2nd in last year’s Supreme Novices, so I cannot have him at any price in such a hotly contested race.

I would be interested in place laying him and laying him in running at about 1.7 on Betfair. With former champions in the field, I can see him getting turned over.

Paul Nicholl’s Celestial Halo is 11/1 with Victor Chandler, but the 5/1 favourite in the market without Binocular. I would much rather back last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner in the market with Binocular, because he has every chance of reversing the Ascot placings.

He had an allergic reaction after being beaten by Binocular, and wasn’t convincing in beating Osana at Sandown last time out.

However, last year he got beaten at Doncaster before Cheltenham, and he comes alive in the Spring. Nicholls has purposefully left plenty to work on and Celestial Halo will relish the strong gallop. Festival form counts for a lot, so my preference would be for Celestial Halo over Binocular, even at a shorter price.

David Pipe’s 11/1 Osana will come on for his last run and has a good chance at snatching a place.

12/1 Crack Away Jack will be ridden by Noel Fehily this time and has Festival form. Excuses can be made for just about every run since, but I’d probably lay it for a place.

I am undecided about last year’s winner Katchit, who is 14/1 with William Hill. Alan King is undecided about applying the blinkers, but Choc Thornton reckons that Katchit is a decent each way bet. His form has been questionable, meaning that he was sent on holiday at the start of the year.

16/1 Sublimity is another former champion, who completed a good piece of work at Leopardstown over the weekend.
Denis O’Regan will ride last year’s favourite, Sizing Europe, who is 20/1 with Victor Chandler. He is reported to be in good form but backers need their heads examined!

Noel Meade sends over Harchibald and Jered who are both 25/1.

33/1 Brave Inca will want soft ground, and could be well supported on the day. Heavy rain is forecast on Monday night, so the time to back the mud-lovers is now. If the going is soft, Brave Inca could be sent off at about 20/1. His age is a concern, and he won’t have Ruby Walsh this time.

40/1 Snap Tie was 3rd in the Supreme Novices’ last year and has an each way chance. The strong pace and large field will suit.

Hardy Eustace is 170/1 to win his 3rd Champion Hurdle. He’ll be running in his 7th festival!

Lough Derg is 1000/1 to win the Champion Hurdle, it looks like the Coral Cup is his target.

Recommendation:

1pt each way @ 11/1 Celestial Halo (Victor Chandler)

1pt each way @ 33/1 Brave Inca (Will Hill etc.)

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