Binocular out of sight at Ascot

Binocular pulverised his four rivals with a display of extreme class in the Boylesports.com International at Ascot.

While he has a long way to go to recreate the feats of his owner JP McManus’ brilliant Istabraq, the reaction of jockey Tony McCoy suggested his adjusted odds of as short as 5-4 to win the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next March are not completely fanciful.

The Grade Two event was rescheduled from the Cotswolds a week ago and may be the last time Binocular is seen on the racecourse until the Festival.

But a four-and-a-half-length defeat of Celestial Halo, with Chomba Womba, Katchit and Crack Away Jack a long way behind will have sent out a severe warning to all other aspirants to the crown.

Binocular beat Triumph Hurdle winner Celestial Halo at Aintree and McCoy was unperturbed on the even-money favourite as Ruby Walsh built up an advantage of around 10 lengths from the off.

The field closed up turning for home and although Walsh regrouped, Binocular drew alongside the leader at the second-last and did not even need a flick of the whip as he simply swatted his rival away.

“That was a top-class effort,” said McCoy.

“The second horse was given a great ride by Ruby and I was more worried about him than the three horses around me as he had an uncontested lead.

“I am not surprised by the way Binocular won. He hasn’t achieved it yet, but there is not another hurdler around that is as exciting as he is.”

Henderson added: “This was a tense day and I am glad it is over.

“He was there to be tested today as the runner-up really set some gallop. I don’t know if AP was very cool or very confident to let Celestial Halo have a lead like that.

“The way Binocular gets from one side of a hurdle to another is extraordinary - I don’t know what the world made of it but it is fair to say I’m happy!”

“This was not a trial – we were here to win and we needed this race, so I am so grateful to everyone for getting it back on.

“A while ago I considered not running him again until the Champion Hurdle after this but he looked as big as a bull beforehand.

“If he had been beaten it may have been because he was short of a run but we will have to see now – he certainly doesn’t need any practice!”

Henderson’s Chomba Womba was 12 lengths away in third, while the trainer also has the slightly underestimated Punjabi to add to his stock of top hurdlers.

“She ran a great race too – she’s just not Champion Hurdle class,” he considered.

Paul Nicholls was delighted with the effort of Celestial Halo, reporting: “We just haven’t had a clear run with him and I couldn’t get him right. But recently he has just bloomed.

“On that performance there is only one race we can go for and that is the Champion Hurdle with one run beforehand.”

Crack Away Jack’s bubble was rather burst as he finished last but he was not expected to be suited by the track, while current Champion Hurdle holder Katchit justified trainer Alan King’s negative pre-race vibes with a rather limp fourth.

King said: “He is not quite firing yet and I can get him better. I don’t think you will see him again until Cheltenham in March.”