Binocular and Fly clash at Punchestown

The latest two winners of the Stan James Champion Hurdle, Binocular and Hurricane Fly, will go head-to-head for the first time in the €160,000 Grade 1 Rabobank Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival on Friday May 6.

A setback forced owner J P McManus and trainer Nicky Henderson to scratch Binocular from this year's Cheltenham feature, leaving Hurricane Fly to emerge as an outstanding champion.

Binocular returned to action on April 9 and finished fourth behind Oscar Whisky in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles.

Frank Berry, racing manager to J P McManus, revealed today: "Binocular is heading to Punchestown for the Rabobank Champion Hurdle, all being well. He is fine after Aintree, he is in good form and we couldn't be happier with him.

"Nothing came to light after Aintree, so we can't put a finger on exactly what happened there. He ran a good race but just didn't pick up perhaps as well as he should have, but he has come out of it good and hopefully he will go to Punchestown.

"Missing Cheltenham was just one of those things. Importantly, he is sound and in good form so let's hope he runs a good race if he goes there."

The Willie Mullins-trained Hurricane Fly landed the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January, and stormed to an impressive victory at Cheltenham in March.

The seven-year-old will attempt to win the Rabobank Champion hurdle for the second year in a row.

The prestigious two-mile contest is the feature on the fourth day of the Punchestown Festival, which serves up a five-day feast of stunning racing from Tuesday May 3 right through to Saturday May 7.

With 16 exciting entries, the race promises to be one of the thrilling highlights of the week. The Phillip Hobbs-trained Menorah, winner of the Grade 1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2010, was fifth to Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham, while others of particular note include Voler La Vedette, Dunguib and Thousand Stars.