Irish success for comeback kid Binocular at Cheltenham

Binocular bounced right back to his brilliant best with a devastating display in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon.

The six-year-old was narrowly beaten into third when sent off favourite 12 months ago but had failed to rediscover his best form in three starts earlier this season – and had been ruled out of the race in February.

But sent off at 9-1 in the hands of Tony McCoy, Nicky Henderson’s charge could be called the winner a long way from home and he quickened right away after the final flight to beat Khyber Kim (7-1) with plenty to spare.

Zaynar, another of Henderson’s three runners, was third at 15-2.