tracked leader, led approaching last, very easily
led, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace, well held by winner
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up in 5th, mistake 3rd, weakened well before 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, no extra last
Nearby and Lucaindubai have little chance in this company on today's terms but the remaining trio are all engaged in next month's Champion Hurdle at the Festival. BINOCULAR will be attempting to win that race for the second time and was back to something like his best when landing the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. Nicky Henderson's charge gets the vote to confirm earlier running with Celestial Halo and take this on his way to Cheltenham. The latter has won twice since finishing behind the selection and looks sure to make a fight of it, but Starluck will need to be at his best on his reappearance if he's to reverse earlier form with the likely favourite.
Binocular (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, pushed along after 3 out, switched inside to challenge next, ridden between last 2, stayed on to lead flat, held on towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec beating Rock On Ruby (11-7) by nk, 5 ran.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Tracked leader, effort to challenge 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on to lead narrowly final 110 yards, going away towards finish, won at Haydock 2m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Desert Cry (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Nearby 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, weakened last, 12th of 14, 23l behind Module (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Lucaindubai (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Tracked clear pair, close up 5th, lost place 3 out, headway 2 out, soon ridden, rallied towards stands side rail flat, led towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jan beating Zafranagar (10-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Starluck (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Slightly hampered 1st, chased leaders, hit 5th, not fluent next, no impression 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out, 4th of 7, 42l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
