Fit and focused, Binocular finally proves his class

BINOCULAR, a fast-finishing third the year before and a doubtful runner until relatively recently, stormed away with the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at sun-drenched Cheltenham yesterday.

At one stage it looked virtually certain he would miss the race, but when starting to come right again, and then sparkling in a schooling session under Tony McCoy, he was catapulted back in.

It takes a lot to get McCoy animated, but he seemed to enjoy this and milked the moment for all he was worth