Henderson Target: Trainer enters Binocular and Spirit Son in Irish Champion Hurdle

RACING:IT'S almost 20 years since a British trained horse managed to win the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle but Nicky Henderson could go after the prestigious Grade One prize with either Binocular or Spirit Son at Leopardstown at the end of this month, writes BRIAN O'CONNOR

Spirit Son is as low as 8 to 1 in ante-post betting for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham despite not having run since a hugely impressive victory at Aintree in April.

The 2010 champion Binocular, who won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last month, was the other British hopeful entered at yesterday’s forfeit stage for the €110,000 race.

“We won’t rule them in or out. I’ll speak to JP (McManus) about Binocular who has been very well since Kempton,” Henderson said yesterday.

“Spirit Son is also very well but it really depends on what happens over here. The ground will be a factor, but one of them may well run. We’ll make our minds a bit closer to the time,” he added.

Royal Derbi was the last British trained winner of the Irish Champion in 1993. The JP McManus-owned Foreman was sent from Thierry Doumen’s Chantilly yard to win in 2004.

Twelve horses have been left in the race on January 29th including, as expected, the current champion, Hurricane Fly.