McGuinness hopeful with racefit Beau Adrian McGuinness is hoping Beau Michael can feel the benefit of a couple of outings as he tackles Binocular at Haydock on Saturday. The pair are set to clash in the Betfair Hurdle, a two-mile event restricted to four-year-olds, and the main supporting event to the Betfair Chase. Binocular is as low as 9-2 favourite with totesport for the Champion Hurdle following his win at Aintree in April and he will be having his first start of the year for Nicky Henderson. Beau Michael already has a win to his credit and was last seen when edged into second by River Liane at Naas. "The plan is to go to Haydock, I just need to check on the ground but we wouldn't be scared of taking on one horse," said McGuinness. "Binocular is the Champion Hurdle favourite but it's his first run of the season and we have a couple of runs already under our belt, so I'd hope we might just have a fitness edge on him. "The horse is giving a lot of weight away but he did that in Limerick and was impressive the first time. "He didn't quite manage it last time but he still ran a cracking race on very heavy ground. "The weight doesn't worry me, although we're probably way wrong with Binocular, and I don't go to the races to be second with my horses. "My other option is to go to Fairyhouse where he would probably be up against the likes of Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca. "But if we can't beat the four-year-olds, how would we beat older, seasoned horses? "The 'Fighting Fifth' Hurdle at Newcastle is another possibility but this is really our last chance to take on just four-year-olds and I'd like to take it. "It's a bit of a fact-finding mission for us and we'll see where we are after the race." Beau Michael and Binocular top a possible 11-strong field for the Haydock race, which was reopened, with each set to carry 11st 6lb. Serabad and Squadron are amongst other notable entries along with Chord, Lazy Darren, Los Nadis, Teenage Idol and Crosby Jemma. Charlie Longsdon has entered Prairie Spirit, who would be making his hurdling bow, and Songe, although both hold alternative entries - with the latter declared to run on Wednesday.
