Binocular’s sights are fixed on glory

AS Champion Hurdles go, tomorrow’s Smurfit Kappa-sponsored renewal can hardly be described as a star-studded affair.

But for sheer unpredictability, this is about as good as it gets.

With a 7-2 favourite in Go Native and at least eight others in with a chance, anything could happen. Run the race three times and you could get three different winners – it really is as open as that.

Go Native is a worthy favourite and will be chasing a £1m bonus following victories in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth and Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle.

This gelding needs to be delivered late so expect a re-run of Paul Carberry’s Champion Hurdle display on Harchibald, when he sat motionless before attempting to get his mount’s head in front on the finishing line.

That controversial ride in 2005 failed to hit the target as the brave Hardy Eustace repelled Harchibald, but there are many who believe Carberry and trainer Noel Meade have the horse with which to go one better tomorrow.

Obviously, Go Native has every chance, but there are others in this with equally-strong claims and one, in particular, who could blow them all away if he returns to his very best form.

That horse is Binocular, for whom little has gone right this season but who remains the most talented horse in tomorrow’s line-up.

A back problem was diagnosed for his three below-par efforts this season, but the last fortnight has seen Binocular impress jockey Tony McCoy with the slick jumping which was his trademark as a younger horse.

A hot favourite when narrowly beaten into third in last season’s Champion Hurdle, he was considered short of peak fitness that day by trainer Nicky Henderson.

Binocular is reported to be in his best shape for some time and, as Henderson has always rated him superior to stable companions Punjabi - last year’s winner - and Zaynar, he has to be worth an interest at 8-1.

Solwhit, who has survived a pre-race illness scare, would be a huge threat if 100 per cent, while the aforementioned Punjabi and Celestial Halo – the horse he just touched off last year – are other threats, along with the progressive Medermit and pacy Starluck.

Khyber Kim, with two big-race wins over tomorrow’s course and distance this season, had previously been a hit-and-miss performer so it is anyone’s guess what sort of display he will produce tomorrow.

If he is on a going day, he will pose a major threat, but if the real Binocular turns up I don’t think there is a horse who can beat him and I am hoping to see him win from Go Native and Punjabi.

Racing begins with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in which the exciting Dunguib will carry millions of pounds of Irish money.

A horse with a huge engine, he has displayed jumping frailties yet has still managed to brush aside every opponent with total disdain.

He is much the most likely winner, but Get Me Out Of Here, last month’s Totesport Trophy winner, sets a high standard and at around 6-1 can be backed each-way with McCoy on board.

A fascinating Arkle Chase, in which Irish hot-pots Captain Cee Bee and Sizing Europe will be heavily backed, may go to Henderson’s Riverside Theatre, who has impressed me with his terrific jumping. Somersby could be his main danger.

Bensalem should take all the beating off his lenient weight in the William Hill Chase, while Garde Champetre looks a good thing in the cross-country race and Quevega can see off Irish rival Voler La Vedette in the concluding David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.