On a quite extraordinary day for trainer Nicky Henderson his two stable stars, Binocular and Long Run, advertised their Cheltenham Festival credentials in the best possible fashion with tremendous victories in the Christmas hurdle and King George VI Chase respectively, writes Elliot Slater.
Reigning champion hurdler Binocular's smooth as silk success in the Grade 1 hurdle on a track that most pundits (and his trainer) felt might see him caught out for pace, sent out a serious warning shots to those who fancy their chances of taking his crown away that they are going have to fight very hard to do so. Confidently ridden by Tony McCoy, Binocular was always travelling well in the slipstream of the gallant Overturn, and once taking it up before two out he was never going to be caught, even though the runner-up kept on gamely to the line.
Binocular's odds for back-to-back Champion Hurdle victories have been slashed and he appears the one they all have to beat and the Cheltenham betting offers reflect this.
Long Run has always been held in the highest regard by the Henderson team but plenty of pundits doubted his jumping would be good enough for a championship grade three-mile contest. They couldn't have been more wrong as the Sam Waley-Cohen-ridden six-year-old put in an exhibition round and was always going too strongly for the great Kauto Star, who was under pressure a long way from home and despite battling bravely could only finish third behind the new champion.
Long Run is now a clear second-favourite for the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 18 behind reigning champion Imperial Commander and will no doubt attract plenty of Cheltenham 2011 bets. With both horse and jockey having silenced their critics in no uncertain fashion there will be plenty of confidence in Long Run improving on his third place in last year's RSA Chase and the similar position he filled behind Little Josh in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Prestbury Park in November.
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