Binocular heads trio attempting to keep Henderson run going
The enigmatic Binocular was fourth a year ago and has run just once this season, finishing third behind Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Henderson said: “His history is fraught with fantastic moments and disappointments, many of which were not his fault at all.
“He’s only had the one run and admittedly that doesn’t stand out as a great feat in itself. We took him to Ireland in some bad ground and Hurricane Fly was impressive that day and has been all season.
“Ireland was all right — he needed it — and everything has gone very well since.
“Historically, there’s not much between him and Hurricane Fly anyway. If we’re anywhere near our best, he’s in there with a very good chance. He’s in really good form.”
Binocular’s owner, JP McManus, said: “I know he’s probably written off in a lot of people’s minds but my advice would be if you back something in the race, perhaps you should have a saver on Binocular.
“I’ve a soft spot for him.”
Binocular’s jockey Tony McCoy appears less confident about his chances, claiming the soft ground tips things very much in favour of Hurricane Fly.
“I think the ground getting soft will be better for him [Hurricane Fly] than the others, he stays two-and-a-half and has won lots of Grade Ones on heavy ground in Ireland,” said the champion jockey.
“I’d have liked it to have been drier for Binocular as it puts more emphasis on his jumping.”
Grandouet has also run just once this term, filling the runner-up spot in the International at Cheltenham.
He missed last season’s Champion Hurdle through injury and although there were rumours he was going to miss out again last week, he remains on course.
Henderson said: “I would have liked another run. Everything has just sort of conspired against him.
“He missed last year’s Champion Hurdle because of an injury and he does have a sort of in-built self-destruct button.
“He can do anything to himself in a padded cell! We just have to keep our fingers crossed. He’s fine now.
“You would have to say that technically, that run in December in the International rates as good as any and would give him a very sound chance.”
