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Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle – Distance: 2 miles, 110 yards – Winning Time: 3:53.9
As it is appropriate for the first day’s feature race, Binocular presented a spectacular win with a final sprint to glory that left competitors and spectators gaping. Under the confident and capable direction of Champion Jockey Tony McCoy, Binocular seems to have emerged from the performance low that has worried his owners and trainer Nicky Henderson all season.
While he was going strong throughout the race, being closely trailed by Khyber Kim under jockey Paddy Brennan, Binocular unleashed his full potential leaving the rest of the field – including Khyber Kim – irrevocably behind him. Trainer Henderson may not have an explanation for this explosion of ability but is all the more delighted in the win for it.
Race favourite Go Native is suspected to have injured himself landing after the second jump, pulling out of the race in consequence.
| Place | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Age | Odds |
| 1 | Binocular | A P McCoy | N J Henderson | 6 | 7-1 |
| 2 | Khyber Kim | P J Brennan | N A Twiston-Davies | 8 | 15-2 |
| 3 | Zaynar | A Tinkler | N J Henderson | 5 | 9-1 |
| 4 | Celestial Halo | R Walsh | P F Nicholls | 6 | 9-1 |
| 5 | Starluck | T J Murphy | A Fleming | 5 | 11-1 |
| 6 | Solwhit | D N Russell | C Byrnes | 6 | 6-1 |
| 7 | Medermit | R Thornton | A King | 6 | 8-1 |
| 8 | Jumbo Rio | A J McNamara | E J O’Grady | 5 | 66-1 |
| 9 | Punjabi | B J Geraghty | N J Henderson | 7 | 6-1 |
| 10 | Won In The Dark | G Lee | Miss S Harty | 6 | 66-1 |
- Read more news on: Binocular, Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Festival, Go Native, Khyber Kim, Nicky Henderson, Paddy Brennan, Tony McCoy
