Binocular ruled out of Champion Hurdle

Binocular has been ruled out of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle due to a muscle problem.

Nicky Henderson's charge finished third behind stablemate Punjabi in the Cheltenham Festival feature last term and had been the favourite to claim the crown at the start of the season.

However, an odds-on disappointment on his reappearance in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last November was followed by another defeat, albeit a narrow one, in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Binocular bounced back to winning form in a moderate event at Sandown earlier this month, but despite his easy success, Henderson was not satisfied and the six-year-old underwent a full examination.

Henderson said: "He's completely sound but a minor, yet significant, muscle problem has been diagnosed and explains our concerns.

"We feel we don't have sufficient time to treat this in order for him to do himself justice in the Champion Hurdle.

"We have unfortunately decided to put him away for the season to ensure he can begin next term as normal and 100% for a full campaign, which we obviously hope will lead us back to Champion Hurdle."

There were no surprises among 10 withdrawals from the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, although they include 2008 winner Katchit and Hurricane Fly.

Binocular's subsequent defection with a muscle problem leaves 23 in the big race on March 16th, including his stablemates Punjabi, last year's winner, and 2009 Triumph Hurdle victor Zaynar, an intended runner in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on Thursday.

Leading a 15-strong Irish entry are Noel Meade's Go Native, who is chasing the £1million WBX Hurdling Triple Crown, and the Charles Byrnes-trained Solwhit, winner of the Irish Champion Hurdle.