Binocular heads Champion Hurdle field

Binocular heads 31 entrants for this year’s renewal and after an impressive display at Kempton he leads the Champion Hurdle betting; best price 10/3 with Coral. He is one of five Nicky Henderson horses entered along with former JCB Triumph Hurdle winners, Soldatino and Zaynar, last year’s fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Oscar Whiskey and French import Solix, who has yet to race outside of France.

Last year’s Champion Hurdle form is well represented with the top six all entered. Of the vanquished Khyber Kim is the shortest at 33/1 with William Hill suggesting the bookmakers don’t fancy the 2010 class to get the better of Binocular this time around.

The big Irish challenge is expected to come from Hurricane Fly, winner of eight of his ten hurdle race he is unbeaten this season with both starts coming in Irish Grade 1 races, his chance is rated a best price 5/1 second favourite with Paddypower. Last year’s Supereme Novices’ Hurdle winner Menorah is third in the betting, unbeaten in three tries at Cheltenham he added the International and Greatwood Hurdle to his growing CV this season and is rated 5/1 third favourite.

Donald McCain turned up at this year’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle not knowing if he had a Champion Hurdle prospect but leaving with the winner and a horse he said he could ‘dream about’. Bet365 go 6/1 that his dreams come true with Peddlars Cross.