Binocular shortens for Champion Hurdle

Binocular is back at the head of the betting to retain his Champion Hurdle crown after winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday and is now best-price 7/2 (William Hill) for the blue-riband hurdling event in March.

Binocular looked in a different class to his rivals and won by three and a quarter lengths from Overturn, with seemingly plenty in hand. Trainer Nicky Henderson confirmed afterwards that Binocular will next go for the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown in February, a race he won last year prior to winning the Champion Hurdle.

Donald McCain, trainer of Overturn, would not have been too disappointed, especially as his stable star Peddlers Cross is reckoned to be significantly better than Overturn.

Peddlers Cross is now best-price 6/1 (Bet365) for the Champion Hurdle, whilst Overturn can now be backed at best-price 25/1 (Victor Chandler).

As well as Long Run and Binocular, Henderson had three other three Kempton winners on Saturday, two of which - novice chaser Nadiya De La Vega and 260,000gn novice hurdler Chablais — are also Cheltenham Festival possibles.

Nadiya De La Vega is as short as 16/1 in places for the Arkle Chase and a standout best-price 25/1 with Paddy Power, whilst Chablais can be backed at best-price 16/1 (Victor Chandler) for the Neptune Novices' Hurdle.

Away from Kempton this weekend, the excellent mare Our Girl Salley was on show at Fairyhouse as she defended her unbeaten record over timber. She once again emerged victorious but she was made to work somewhat for victory in what looked a lesser race than the one she triumphed in so emphatically last month. The very testing ground probably wasn't ideal for the Prunella Dobbs-trained mare who remains a novice hurdler of considerable stature.

Our Girl Salley is now best-price 12/1 (Bet365) for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle in March.

Also at Fairyhouse, Golden Silver notched up another graded race success in the Norman's Grove Chase. Whilst not his best here, Golden Silver's class saw him through and he should again provide Big Zeb with a meaningful test at Punchestown later this month where the pair are scheduled to clash ahead of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.

Big Zeb is currently best-price 7/2 (888sport) for the Champion Chase, whilst Golden Silver can be backed at best-price 16/1 (Bet365).

Binocular has shortened to best-price 7/2 to retain his Champion Hurdle crown