Festival spins for Henderson duo

Nicky Henderson faces a crucial few hours of action as Champion Hurdle hopes Binocular and Oscar Whisky enjoy their final spins before the Cheltenham Festival.

Binocular is without doubt the headline act after his impressive victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last month. The reigning champion hurdler had looked a little lacklustre when well beaten by Peddlers Cross on his seasonal bow in the Fighting Fifth, but Henderson has always said he is a horse who takes plenty of work to get right.

The seven-year-old looked much fitter at Kempton, though, and he proved that to be the case as he set on the heels of pacesetter Overturn before easing nearly four lengths clear in the finish. Henderson insists Binocular will not be at his peak until the Festival but even taking that into account, he will take all the beating in the totesport 0800 221 221 Contenders Hurdle at Sandown.

Hidden Keel can supply trainer Charlie Longsdon with a first Grade One victory in the totepool Challengers Novices' Chase. The six-year-old has won one of his two chase starts but he was thoroughly impressive at Leicester, although his jumping would need to improve a touch.

Oscar Whisky puts his Cheltenham hopes on the line in the William Hill Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las. Owner Dai Walters is also the man in charge at the Welsh venue and he has made no secret of how much he would like this horse to take home the prize.

Meanwhile. Musselburgh's highlight of the winter jumps season, the John Smith's Scottish Cheltenham Trials tomorrow, has attracted a swathe of the countries top jumpers and trainers with its 80,000 prize kitty.

Henderson returns to Musselburgh with four declared runners. He saddled Eradicate to win the Scottish County Hurdle last year but tomorrow he will be aiming to win the John Smith's Scottish Triumph Hurdle with Titan De Sarti in the hands of Andrew Tinkler.

Henderson, who is flying up to the meeting with a party of owners, will also be represented by Skint, Pipe Banner and Dark Lover in the supporting events. David Pipe has yet to send out a winner at Musselburgh but the West Country trainer could end that barren spell with Hunterview in the 25,000 John Smiths' Scottish County Hurdle.