Binocular Backed for 2011 Fighting Fifth Hurdle

The Fighting Fifth Hurdle is looking like a very sharp contest this year and the story looks to be all about Binocular at this point. While he didn't finish last season particularly well and emerged as a true festival bust in 2011, Nicky Henderson's charge is set for another season over hurdles and he will be looking to make a real statement in this one.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE BET WITH LADBROKES!

Unraced so far this season, the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old has never won the Fighting Fifth despite two previous tries. In 2009 he attempted the going at Newcastle and finished a disappointing fifth to the talented Go Native (a contender who would be a thorn in Binocular's side for the rest of the year). He shook it all off at the right time, however, by capturing the Champion Hurdle over Khyber Kim at Cheltenham that year after impressing at 1/7 in a listed contest at Sandown.

Bookmakers currently have Binocular priced anywhere from 5/4 to 13/8.

Overturn is playing the clear second-favourite as Donald McCain looks to build on the impressive summer campaign that this bay son of Barathea was able to perpetrate. He has shifted over from high-quality flat action back to the hurdles and will be looking to make a much better finish to his campaign this year, likely being run very selectively. His ability to hold his own with Group 2 level flat company certainly serves as a reminder of his prime power and it's worth noting that he has a flat victory at Newcastle over 2m against the likes of Drunken Sailor and Deauville Flyer. This is a contender who can hold his own over hurdles and on the Heritage Handicap circuit so construct your bets accordingly.

Look for Overturn trading in the 3/1 region, a good step ahead of the rest of the field, price-wise.

Celestial Halo is certainly in the mix for this one and Paul Nicholls' charge is always going to take a bit of money in a big race like this one. He scored on debut this season at Wincanton in a Grade 2 Limited Handicap carrying 11-10 and winning at that weight for the first time in two years.

It should be noted that victory came by a smashing 16 lengths against a field of five.

Celestial Halo is trading in the neighbourhood of 6/1.

Other notables include Sanctuaire, Bygones of Brid and Via Galilei in the 16/1 to 20/1 range.