Binocular return excites Henderson

Nicky Henderson believes the Betfair Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday is the ideal starting point for Champion Hurdle favourite Binocular.

Owned by JP McManus, the four-year-old slammed Triumph Hurdle winner Celestial Halo by seven lengths at Aintree after finishing second to the older Captain Cee Bee in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

“He looked very good at Aintree, I think that was the day he passed his test - and he did nothing wrong at Cheltenham really,” said Henderson.

“AP (McCoy) just held on to him a lot longer at Aintree and he looked a very tidy horse there, he showed gears and he jumped well.

“He beat the Triumph Hurdle winner which, stamped him as the leading four-year-old really.

“He does work well at home, he always has done and he’s always jumped well too.

“This is actually a new race and it’s a very handy race to have for the four-year-olds.

“It’s very difficult for them in their second season and it is nice they put races on like this that gives them the opportunity to start life without having to bump into more experienced types,” he told At The Races.