BINOCULAR'S Champion Hurdle credentials are set for their first acid test in Saturday's re-arranged Boylesports International Hurdle, for which he's been put in as 7/4 favourite by the sponsors.

Nicky Henderson's four-year-old has been most impressive in two wins since sustaining his only defeat in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March, and it's hard to forget the way he brushed aside Triumph Hurdle winner Celestial Halo, who re-opposes here, at Aintree in April. On his reappearance at Haydock last month, he was simply electric over his hurdles, when admittedly beating a bunch of trees, but the most striking thing about that performance was that he was a lot calmer down at the start than last season - perhaps he's grown up this season?

I must admit I opposed him last week on a point of value - 7/4 looked skinny ante post. However, the switch in venue from Cheltenham, where the testing ground would have put a premium on his stamina, to 2m on likely better ground at Ascot is very much in his favour, unlike some of his rivals, so I'm switching allegiance to him.

Reigning champion hurdler Katchit (5/1 Skybet) would have given him a race at Cheltenham, where he's five from six, but on this faster circuit I think he'll struggle to give him 4lb. Besides, he's no gimme to reverse Wincanton form with Nicky Henderson's Chomba Womba (6/1 Ladbrokes), whose subsequent Ascot defeat of the Champion Hurdle third favourite, Crack Away Jack (4/1 Boylesports), looks an even stronger piece of form.

The latter emerged from that race with plenty of credit as he was running over a trip too far (2m 3f) and made a couple of crucial mistakes, in the end only just failing to give weight to the older mare. I really liked his chances in this race when it was going to be run at Cheltenham, but on this less galloping track I think Binocular will have too much speed for him.

Of the rest, Celestial Halo (12/1 BetDirect) lacks an outing this term and there's no reason why he should reverse Aintree form with Binocular, while Harchibald (25/1 Chandler) is very unlikely to get the good ground he needs to operate at his best. A more interesting Irish raider is Solwhit (12/1 Blue Square), who is unexposed after just nine runs races, flat and hurdles (winning five), and he has place prospects.

Recommended Bet:

Binocular 2pts @ 7/4 Boylesports