Cheltenham now the focus for Binocular

Binocular warmed up for his bid to retain the Stan James Champion Hurdle with an easy victory in the totesport 0800 221 221 Contenders Hurdle.

The 1-10 shot, trained by Nicky Henderson, took up the running from his stablemate Ruthenoise at the final flight and was eased down by Tony McCoy in the dying strides. He won by a length and three-quarters from the 50-1 runner-up with Siberian Tiger third of the four.

Binocular was eased by a couple of firms for Cheltenham next month, and McCoy said: "He was probably not as impressive today as at Kempton (Christmas Hurdle) but it's hard to judge in a race like this. I don't think he jumped as well as he can today, but with just three other horses you are being careful in case one falls or something like that.

"He was more impressive at Kempton, but you can't go on what he did here in a race like this.

"He seems in good form, he's progressing and hopefully we will get him there (Cheltenham) the same as last year."

Henderson's assistant Tom Symonds added: "He doesn't do an awful lot at home and he can be idle but, as soon as AP (McCoy) gave him the office, he has answered every call. He'll have a little break now and then he'll crack on for Cheltenham in March."

Binocular is owned by JP McManus, whose racing manager Frank Berry said: "The run will bring him on and hopefully he will go to Cheltenham in good shape."