Henderson happy with Binocular ahead of Fighting Fifth bid
It was the start of a frustrating spell for the JP McManus-owned Binocular, who only recaptured his best form when beating Khyber Kim in the Champion Hurdle in March.
“I’m happier with him now than I was last year, but that’s not to say something was obviously amiss back then,” said the trainer. “I wasn’t that confident going to Newcastle last year and I wouldn’t be again - it’s a very good race, as it should be, with Peddlers Cross and Starluck in there - but Binocular is in very good form.
“Saturday is not the Champion Hurdle, it’s just the first step on the road to Cheltenham in March. My job is to make sure Binocular is fit and ready to defend his crown then but the Fighting Fifth is the perfect place to start.”
Barbers Shop is set to join his stablemate at Newcastle on Saturday. Henderson’s charge also holds an entry in the Hennessy Gold Cup. However the trainer is eyeing the At The Races Rehearsal Chase for his charge, who needs to bounce back from a below-par reappearance in the Charlie Hall Chase.
* Donald McCain is considering a tilt at the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham with new recruit Sports Line.
The seven-year-old mixed it at the highest level as a novice for Willie Mullins last season, signing off the campaign with a fine third in the Ryanair Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.
“He’s been given a rating of 149, so we are going to have to aim him at the big handicap chases and we will have a look at the Kelso Champion Chase as well,” said McCain.
“He is a smashing horse to get. I spoke to Willie and he thought that Sports Line would get further than two miles when he learns to settle, so we will be trying to go that route with him.”
A total of 32 entries have been received for the December Gold Cup with Paddy Power hero Little Josh, Dave’s Dream, Noble Alan and Noland all in the reckoning.
