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Binocular, who is currently around 8/1 for the Champion Hurdle, will look to cement his place in the betting in the Cheltenham Festival contest with victory in Saturday's Contenders Hurdle at Sandown Park.
Nicky Henderson's star has managed to win the last two renewals of the Listed event, albeit at odds of 1-7 and 1-10, respectively, so will be looking to notch up the hat-trick of successes in the contest en route to a tilt at the Champion Hurdle on March 12.
After storming to victory in the 2010 Tuesday showpiece, the Seven Barrows inmate was unable to take his place in the 2011 renewal due to drug-related issues, but the eight-year-old is right on course to a return to Prestbury Park on the opening day of the four-day extravaganza and Henderson will be hoping Saturday's contest will tune him up perfectly for the Grade One showpiece next month.
After Hurricane Fly produced a scintillating performance in Sunday's Irish Champion Hurdle, the ante-post betting now has a very lopsided look to it with Willie Mullins' speedster odds-on to retain the title he won with aplomb last season.
However, Binocular sits below the Co. Carlow inmate alongside a plethora of leading contenders, who include last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkandar, stablemate Grandouet and Paul Nicholls' exciting Rock On Ruby, who Binocular beat in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park.
Saturday's Contenders contest looks to be another fairy straightforward assignment for the JP McManus-owned gelding, with only seven possible rivals. However, he could face a stiff test from the classy Starluck, who has finished in front of him before, but David Arbuthnot's charge has also been handed an entry in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and could line up at Ffos Las instead.
Desert Cry ran a cracker when finishing second to Celestial Halo last time out and could be handed the test by Donald McCain, whilst Local Hero and Clerk's Choice are another notable duo in a list of entries dominated by Binocular, as he looks to bag his third victory in the race.
Check out the 2012 Champion Hurdle Betting.
| Aintree |
|---|
| 5:20 | 5:55 | 6:30 | 7:05 | 7:40 | 8:15 | 8:50 |
| Dundalk |
| 5:50 | 6:20 | 6:50 | 7:20 | 7:50 | 8:20 | 8:50 | 9:15 |
| Hamilton |
| 5:45 | 6:15 | 6:50 | 7:25 | 8:00 | 8:35 | 9:10 |
| Newbury |
| 1:40 | 2:10 | 2:40 | 3:10 | 3:45 | 4:20 | 4:55 |
| Newcastle |
| 5:35 | 6:05 | 6:40 | 7:15 | 7:50 | 8:25 | 9:00 |
| Newmarket |
| 2:20 | 2:50 | 3:20 | 3:55 | 4:30 | 5:05 | 5:40 |
| York |
| 1:30 | 2:00 | 2:30 | 3:00 | 3:35 | 4:10 | 4:45 |
May
