Punchestown option for Binocular
The 2010 winner was all set to defend his title before Henderson was forced to withdraw him after medication he was given to treat an allergy failed to clear his system in time.
The Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles and the Punchestown Champion Hurdle, in which Punjabi was beaten a short-head by Solwhit in 2009 for the yard, are the options.
However, with Punchestown not taking place until May this year, fast ground may be a concern.
Henderson said: “He’s in work, JP (McManus, owner) and I briefly talked in the week, but we’ll sit down and discuss it.
“He hasn’t missed a day’s work since Christmas, but we’ll have a meeting over the next week to decide which horses go on to Aintree and Punchestown.”
Menorah could also bid to redeem his reputation at the Punchestown Festival.
Philip Hobbs’ six-year-old was sent off the 3-1 second favourite in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday but could only finish fifth behind Hurricane Fly.
Hobbs is not convinced last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner gave his true running and as long as everything is fine with the horse, a trip to Ireland beckons.
“I feel that he hasn’t run his normal race,” said Hobbs. “I think we’ll be testing him this week to see if we can find anything amiss and providing he’s all right I think he’ll be going to Punchestown as it’s in May this year so we’ve got plenty of time.
“I wouldn’t really want to send him over two and a half miles at Aintree just yet, although I’m sure he’d stay in time,” said the Minehead handler.
Donald McCain is looking at running his Champion Hurdle runner-up Peddlers Cross in the Aintree Hurdle.
McCain’s stable star lost his unbeaten record at the Festival but went down with all guns blazing to Hurricane Fly.
He has come out of the race in grand order and the Cheshire-based handler is keen to give him another run.
“He’s doing somersaults at home, he’s very well,” said McCain.
Mouse Morris is considering the possibility of running his Cheltenham winner First Lieutenant at the Punchestown Festival.
The lightly-raced six-year-old, who had not run since December, got up in the final stride under a powerful Davy Russell ride to deny Rock On Ruby in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday.
Morris is already looking forward to sending him over fences next season.
“There’s not a bother on him,” said Morris. “It was a seriously good performance and I couldn’t be happier with him.
“I don’t want to set anything in stone, but there’s still a possibility he could go to Punchestown this season. He’ll be some horse over fences next season.”
Paul Nolan faces a race against time to get Joncol fit enough to line up the Punchestown Festival.
The eight-year-old was not disgraced when finishing third in the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown on his latest start, but was subsequently found to be suffering from a serious digestive problem.
Nolan is pleased to report his giant gelding is improving, although he remains unsure whether his charge will make the racecourse again this season.
“The hope is that we make it to Punchestown but if we don’t, we’ll just have to let him off and wait until next season.”
Impressive Arkle winner Captain Chris is also likely to be next seen at the Punchestown Festival.
Philip Hobbs’ chaser has tended to jump right over fences, although it did not stop him winning at left-handed Cheltenham.
“He will run again, but I’m just struggling as to where as he’d rather go right-handed, although he coped going left at Cheltenham,” said Hobbs. “I think we are probably going to wait for Punchestown.”
