Binocular will replace Punjabi in the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle a week on Saturday.

Reigning Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi had been lined up for a return in the Grade One event, but will now go for the boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham instead with his trainer Nick Henderson believing that Binocular is further forward at this stage of the year. 

Henderson said: "Following work on Tuesday, and having spoken to both lots of owners, the plan is swap Punjabi and Binocular around.

"Both horses are in good form and both worked great yesterday.

"But, to be honest, Binocular is the cleaner and the more ready of the two at the current moment.

"Binocular is now going to go to Newcastle for the Fighting Fifth and Punjabi will go for the Boylesports.

"Punjabi has definitely not suffered a setback, it just makes total sense to switch him and Binocular around."

The pair are set for a workout at Henderson’s base on Thursday and the trainer is also eyeing a gallop with Punjabi the weekend after.

"Barry Geraghty is coming over to school Punjabi, and AP (McCoy) will school Binocular," the trainer continued to explain.

"I would ideally like Punjabi to have a racecourse gallop prior to Cheltenham and we are hoping, with Newbury's permission, to do so on Hennessy weekend, which would put him spot-on."

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