Binocular wins the Champion Hurdle!

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3BayGeldings

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Totally foot-perfect... AP McCoy rode a blinder and came back saying the ride was incomparable, which is saying something! Amazing considering Nicky Henderson was all for not running the horse 2 weeks ago :D I'm very chuffed - always got a soft spot for JP McManus's horses and especially Binocular.
 
Didnt he look fantastic in his coat, really well. sadly I put money on this morning and couldnt go for him on this year's form, but I did have the 2nd and 3rd each way

sizzing Europe also looked totally spot on in the paddock before the arkle, wish I could have had a bet after seeing them in the paddock!
 
Brilliant ride by AP, and it's apparently thanks to him the horse even ran, as he was doubtful until AP schooled him and said he gave him a better feel than he had all season......... the horse was fantastic too.......... I love the way he travels..........
 
Great ride by AP on Binocular. He was the one I did fear if he came back to form but didn't have a penny on him :( Wish I still had my telephone accounts though as I would have done after seeing him in the flesh pre race as he looked fantastic. Overall I thought Punjabi looked the best and his coat was gleaming, but he ran no sort of race yesterday. Credit to AP, JP and Henderson though for giving the horse time to find his feet again and for all the money, time and effort put into the horse by getting the various professionals to work their wonders on the horse. It was in today's post that the horse had Mary Bromiley treating his neck, John Halley (JP's vet) treating a hind and Buffy Shirley-Beaven treating his sacroiliac. Horse had also had a bone scan to determine what was wrong but this revealed nothing. Just seems to me that a bit of physio and tlc did the trick.
As for next year's race I just don't know? I think Solwhit could be different again granted a illness free run up if he is aimed at the race again. While Get me out of here, defied a lot of stats I think? As I don't know of any horse that had won a big handicap like the Tote Gold Trophy running so close in the Supreme novice hurdle. He very nearly won and although I didn't back him or the winner Menorah yesterday I do hope connections aim him for the Champion Hurdle race as I think granted further progression he could be a good ante post bet if bookies dare to chalk one up for him.
The one horse who I did feel was given a poor ride yesterday was Celestial Halo. It was reported that the horse would not be making the running. Now while I appreciate that there were no natural front runners in the race yesterday I believe Ruby was foolhardy to try and make all on the horse when it was blinkered for the first time. Blinkers did sharpen him up and I think if the horse had been held up in midfield he would not have petered out like he did. Also read today though that CH will be going chasing soon and has schooled over fences already at home and gone well. Why was this not widely reported in the build up? Connections said last year they were eager to have another crack at the race and over the winter this has been his target. So if that was the case why school over fences when you are training a horse for the champion hurdle? It doesn't make sense. Bet he will go for the Arkle in 2011.
Zaynar impressed yesterday as he was able to readily keep tabs on the pace setting CH. He looks tailor made for a two and half mile hurdle, I wonder if the Martell hurdle at Aintree might be next on the agenda?
 
Anyone who watched the celebrations try telling me that AP doesn't love and care about horses. His gestures and comments were those of a true horseman and what a great ride he gave the horse.
There has been some wonderful racing on both days.
 
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