Binocular out of Champion Hurdle

Nicky Henderson has been dealt a hammer blow with the news that Binocular will miss Tuesday's stanjames.com Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The current champion had been heading the ante-post market at around the 7/2 mark just hours before today's declaration time.

The JP McManus-owned gelding was treated for an allergy two weeks ago and did not respond to initial medication and required further treatment.

Unfortunately Binocular then tested positive for a substance and on the British Horseracing Authority's advice, Henderson was forced to withdraw the horse.

In a statement Henderson said: "We have very regretfully had to decide not to declare Binocular for Tuesday's Champion Hurdle.

"He had an allergy two weeks ago that did not respond to initial medication and on veterinary advice and well within normal parameters he required a further treatment the following day.

"As we were getting close to the most important race of the year and also because since that administration to Binocular, another horse had tested positive for the same substance, I thought it prudent to take a precautionary test which not only surprisingly, let alone devastatingly, has also shown to be positive.

"We have therefore reluctantly had to take the BHA's advice this morning that the only reasonable course in everybody's interest is not to confirm the entry and he has consequently been withdrawn from the Champion Hurdle.

"We are all obviously shattered but I am particularly upset for JP (McManus) who has been incredibly understanding as I know how much this horse means to him."

Leading fancies Menorah, Peddlers Cross and Hurricane Fly all stand their ground, with confirmation that Ruby Walsh will ride the last-named.

Paul Towned will ride Willie Mullins' other runner Thousand Stars, whilst Henderson will rely solely on Oscar Whisky.

Last-year's runner-up Khyber Kim and Mille Chief will run, whilst the rest of the field consists of Bygones Of Brid, Clerk's Choice, Dunguib and Overturn.

Menorah has been installed as the new Champion Hurdle favourite after Binocular's shock withdrawal and can currently be backed at best-price 10/3 (Bet365).

Champion Hurdle best-price odds:


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BHA spokesman Paul Struthers responded to criticism that the regulatory body did not inform punters about the Binocular situation earlier, despite being fully involved in the testing of the horse. He said the earliest the Authority could have released a statement was two days ago.

"There was a lot of information to gather so the earliest we could have said anthing was Friday afternoon. Secondly, there was a genuine expectation that the levels of the substance would come down as testing went on but it didn't. A key factor was the fact that every bookie was by then NRNB on all Cheltenham races," he said earlier today.

Several firms have offered refunds on ante-post bets placed on Binocular. William Hill, Stan James, Bet365 and Paddy Power have offered full refunds and several others, including Ladbrokes, had been offering non-runner no bet on the race for several months.