The race of the day and BINOCULAR can land it but his credentials will be tested by Katchit and Chomba Womba. Runner up in last season's Supreme Novice Hurdle, Binocular shot to the top of the betting for the Champion Hurdle following an effortless success at Haydock. Undoubtedly much of that is down to the potential that this horse has but today will represent the sternest task he has faced with proven Graded winners in opposition. Katchit is the current Champion Hurdler. His stock has somewhat fallen over the course of this season but Alan King has been making plenty of positive noises in the build up to this contest and he is not ordinarily a man to be making statements without much in the way of evidence. Chomba Womba has been a revelation this season. The mare has picked up two prizes this term and saw off Crack Away Jack at Ascot last time out. Emma Lavelle's charge does need to reverse form and does have an obvious possibility given that this track will play more to his style of running. Harchibald can never be underestimated for all his quirks but his trainer is concerned about soft ground and so are we. Celestial Halo won the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival last term but the form of that contest has not worked out as hoped. Khyber Kim has switched yards and whilst his Gerry Fielden run was respectable, he looks below this class. Solwhit won at the Punchestown Festival last season and confirmed his progression with a convincing victory at Fairyhouse last month. Nevertheless, this is a massive leap in grade. River Liane won at Naas last month though the form of it was let down by Beau Michael in the Fighting Fifth last week. Binocular has questions to answer but can do so in emphatic style.
Harchibald (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Raced in 4th, 3rd after 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, dropped to 4th again from before last, 4th of 6, 11l behind Punjabi (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Katchit (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Prominent, shaken up after 5th, ridden 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Chomba Womba (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Binocular (FR) 1-9fav (11-6) Held up in touch, led on bit after 3 out, readily, won at Haydock 2m 4yo hdl (2) gd in Nov beating Los Nadis (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Led, driven after 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Binocular (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Apr.
River Liane (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, 3rd 2 out, stayed on to lead before last where mistake, kept on well run-in, won at Naas 2m 4yo lst hdl sft in Nov beating Beau Michael (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Solwhit (FR) 4-1 (10-6) Held up, headway entering straight, ran on well from last to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft in Nov beating Sky Hall (10-4) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Crack Away Jack 2-1jt-fav (11-2) Held up, hit 5th and 6th, headway 4 out, chasing leading pair when mistake 2 out, kept on flat but held, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Chomba Womba (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Khyber Kim 3-1fav (11-10) Mid-division, smooth headway and hit 3 out, led on bit between last 2, mkistake and headed last, hard ridden and rider lost iron flat, held near finish, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Helens Vision (10-7) at Newbury 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in No.
Chomba Womba (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (11-1) In touch, led 3 out, headed briefly approaching 2 out, kept on, all out gamely, won at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov beating Crack Away Jack (11-2) by 1l, 8 ran.
