Binocular faces eight at Kempton Binocular will face eight rivals as he makes his second appearance of the season in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on St Stephen's Day. Nicky Henderson's scintillating Champion Hurdle hero will get the opportunity to get back on a winning note if the meeting survives the weather. Having finished third in the race last year, connections will be hoping to see more of his old sparkle. Stablemate Oscar Whisky, last seen finishing fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, will make his seasonal debut after his first port of call, the Ladbroke, was abandoned last week. Khyber Kim went down behind Binocular at Cheltenham with all guns blazing, but atoned for that with a win in the Aintree Hurdle. Not seen since, Nigel Twiston-Davies' eight-year-old goes well fresh and is likely to put up a stern test. Paul Nicholls runs two four-year-olds in Escort'men and Sanctuaire. Escort'men won the Dovecote last season and began this campaign with a win, but Fred Winter victor Sanctuaire has questions to answer after a lacklustre display at Exeter. Starluck, narrowly touched off by Go Native in this race 12 months ago, is back for another crack for Alan Fleming, while Grade One winner Barizan will be looking to get his season back on track. Donald McCain's Overturn, not seen since finishing tailed-off in the Ebor, is likely to put the pace to the race. The six-year-old had previously won the Scottish Champion Hurdle, the Northumberland Plate on the Flat and the Galway Hurdle in a golden spell. Andy Crook's Bocamix completes the select field.
