Cheltenham:Binocular bounced right back to his brilliant best with a devastating display in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. The six-year-old was narrowly beaten into third when sent off favourite 12 months ago but had failed to rediscover his best form in three starts earlier this season and had been ruled out of the race in February.
But sent off at 9-1 in the hands of Tony McCoy, Nicky Henderson's charge could be called the winner a long way from home and he quickened right away after the final flight to beat Khyber Kim (7-1) with plenty to spare.
Zaynar, another of Henderson's three runners, was third at 15-2.
It is an extraordinary change of fortune for Binocular having been beaten in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton earlier in the season.
Having failed to impress when winning a minor event at Sandown last month, connections initially ruled him out of the Champion Hurdle but he was back in the reckoning after a couple of impressive pieces of work last week.
The major disappointment of the race was Noel Meade's favourite Go Native, who travelled well for a long way but was beaten turning for home.
Another Irish raider Solwhit, who had scoped dirty at the start of last week, was also well held, as was Henderson's 2009 winner Punjabi.
McCoy said: "When I schooled him last week it was the first time he has hurdled like we know Binocular can - like a champion hurdler.
"He didn't have a good build-up this year. He has not been hurdling (well) all year, he's just done something funny every time.
"I'm so happy for JP (McManus, owner). This is better than any feeling I have had from the horse.
"It's hard to win here and this is everything."
Henderson said: "It hasn't been an easy passage this year. When he was beaten last year, we said he'd come back and AP (McCoy) said he would win it.
"We were actually nine-tenths taking him out and we said he wouldn't run.
"We did a lot of work. We've got a fantastic team and we ironed out a few things.
"His jumping was the difference and Zaynar ran a great race. Binocular deserved to win it one day."
Meade was understandably disappointed with Go Native's performance. The trainer said: "Paul said he dived at the second hurdle, which he did, and he never felt right after that.
"It couldn't have been his running, but unfortunately these things happen.
"If he comes back OK, then he'll go to Punchestown and hopefully he can come back here next year."
In contrast, Khyber Kim's jockey Paddy Brennan was thrilled with the performance of the runner-up.
He said: "It went perfectly and I couldn't be more happy with my horse."
3.20 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle
1 Binocular (A P McCoy) 9-1
2 Khyber Kim (P J Brennan) 7-1
3 Zaynar (A Tinkler) 15-2
12 ran
Also: 11-4 Fav Go Native, 7-1 Celestial Halo 4th