Brilliant 2010 Champion Hurdle winner Binocular is one of just seven horses confirmed for Saturday’s StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Get your free £25 bet on the Fighting Fifth Hurdle when you sign up with Stan James using bonus code MAXIMUMBONUS.

Nicky Henderson’s Grade One-winning six-year-old was turned over in this race last year and never looked back to his brilliant self until he thumped his rivals at the Cheltenham Festival.

The superstar returns at Newcastle and Henderson believes the hurdler is in fine form, though he admits he is worried about the weather expected up North this weekend.

"All has been going according to plan, but I don't like the forecast," he explained.

"He'll have to go on Friday and that's it, but they are forecast temperatures of minus four and minus five.

"We're just going to have to hope.  (If the race was abandoned) it would just be Cheltenham (International Hurdle), but that would take out the Christmas Hurdle here.  Unless they can rearrange the Fighting Fifth, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

"AP McCoy schooled him on Friday and that's always the acid test with him.  He was good and it's going to be a very competitive race. It's a stepping-stone, it's not the Champion Hurdle, but I've been pleased with the way he's gone so far," he continued.

Sponsors Stan James are offering Non Runner No Bet on the race and head of PR Charlie McCann explained: "It looks like being a wonderful renewal of this most prestigious and valuable Grade 1 contest with the Champion Hurdler taking the first steps ahead of what connections hope will be a successful defence of his crown at Cheltenham in March. We are offering 5/1 that Binocular wins on Saturday and follows up in the Stan James Champion Hurdle in March."

StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle  ~ Outright Prices-Nr No Bet, (place terms: 1/4 the first 2)
5-6    Binocular
7-2    Peddlers Cross
4    Starluck
16    Sublimity
16    Nearby
66    Orsippus
100    Bygones Of Brid

To win both the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth & the Stan James Champion Hurdle:
Binocular 5/1
Peddlers Cross 25/1
Starluck 66/1

StanJames Champion Hurdle ~ Outright Ante Post - Note money back as a free bet if Champion Binocular retains his title:

3    Binocular
7    Hurricane Fly
7    Menorah
10    Silviniaco Conti
12    Khyber Kim
12    Peddlers Cross
12    Solwhit
14    Cue Card
16    Dunguib
22    Bar including
40     Starluck
50    Nearby