Binocular to run at Sandown instead of Leopardstown
Binocular, a bay French horse trained by Nicky Henderson, is going to run his Champion Hurdle race at Sandown Park instead of going for BHP Irish Champion Hurdle at the Leopardstown race track.
The horse’s owners and managers have taken this decision in the light of the runner’s impressive record at Sandown.
The Sandown event will be held on February 4, while the Leopardstown race is to be run coming weekend.
Binocular has won last two seasons of Contenders Hurdle in a row at this track. He participated in the last event as the 1-10 favourite.
This is the reason why the eight-year-old horse has opted to take part in the contest at Sandown.
Owned by John P. McManus, the veteran runner is likely to make an impact, and walk out of the race with his head held high.
McManus’s racing manager, Frank Berry, is hopeful of Binocular’s remarkable show at Sandown.
He said:
“I'd say he'll run at Sandown. It's worked for us in the past so I think we'll stick to it. We'll get Sandown out of the way first before we start thinking about Cheltenham.”
He added:
“He's back in good form, though, we've been very pleased with him since Kempton. AP (Tony McCoy) said he wasn't quite giving him the same feel but he won a Grade One nonetheless."
Bred by Elie Lellouche, the horse commenced his career on October 15, 2006, winning first two races on the trot.
The experienced and talented sprinter has run 25 races so far with 12 glaring victories to his credit. His total prize money to date is £724,988.
Binocular was born to sire Enrique and dam Bleu Ciel Et Blanc in 2004. Since the start of his professional career, the dashing horse has been at the peak of his form.
Most of the time, he has come up to the expectations of the bookmakers and his trainer.
Binocular is now all set to run in the rip-roaring event of February 4. He has undergone some tough training sessions which will help him boom against the potential competitors.
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