Binocular undergoing tests

Binocular is having a thorough check-up in an attempt to discover why JP McManus' smart hurdler has lost his spark this season.

Connections are doing their utmost to find out why last season's Champion Hurdle close third disappointed in his first two starts this term and was not impressive in beating two vastly inferior rivals at Sandown last weekend.

Trainer Nicky Henderson believes time is still on his side to get Binocular back to his best as the Smurfit Kappa-sponsored showpiece is still more than four weeks away.

"We all went to bed at the end of last season thinking Binocular would win next year's Champion Hurdle," Henderson told At The Races.

"I can't say I'm going to be quite as positive, but I certainly wouldn't recommend ruling him out.

"He's having a full MOT this week and a few interesting things have cropped up.

"The thing that's really been missing this year is the slickness in his hurdling. He has changed his technique and there has to be a reason for that.

"There's nothing that one can see. He's sound and has had no problems all the way through the season, but something is definitely affecting him in that way.

"We have a few interesting ideas and hopefully something will come out of it. We've got time.

"In fairness, this time last year Punjabi was on the back-burner and had been forgotten about.

"We've still time with Binocular and once again Punjabi has not surprisingly been forgotten about.

"Now we are all waiting for Zaynar. He goes to Kelso next Thursday for the Morebattle Hurdle, Punjabi will go to Wincanton again and Binocular will not run again before Cheltenham."

Despite not living up to expectations this winter, Binocular is still only 8-1 to take the honours at Cheltenham on March 16th.