 Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Replay - Binocular wins International Hurdle Binocular stormed to a brilliant win in the rescheduled International Hurdle at Ascot, finishing four-and-a-half lengths clear of Celestial Halo. It was a masterful performance from Binocular who was last, and eight lengths back, with three to jump. However, two from home jockey Tony McCoy moved up onto the shoulder of Celestial Halo before striding clear. The victory was the first leg in a 104-1 treble at Ascot for in-form trainer Nicky Henderson. The race was postponed when Cheltenham was waterlogged and the original nine-strong field was cut to just five.  | At this stage of his career, he is as exciting as they come |
"It was a really top-class performance because the second horse got an unbelievably good ride," said winning jockey Tony McCoy. "He didn't surprise me winning the way he did - I was hopeful he was pretty smart. "Your best chance of seeing him on the BBC is on Top Gear!" Celestial Halo, ridden by Ruby Walsh, set a strong gallop that the majority of the field struggled to keep pace with. However, McCoy did not panic and rode a textbook race on the pre-race favourite and believes the four-year-old, owned by JP McManus, can rival some of the big names in the sport. "He hasn't achieved anything like the other horses have yet but at this stage of his career he is as exciting as they come," added the champion jockey. "I definitely wouldn't want anybody else riding him, that's for sure." | 606: DEBATE |
Last season's Champion Hurdle winner Katchit was a distant fourth and as a result of his impressive run at Ascot on Saturday, Binocular has been cut to 5-4 by some bookmakers ahead of next March's renewal. Henderson also enjoyed success in the second big race of the day as 3-1 favourite Punchestowns, ridden by Barry Geraghty, finished 11 lengths clear to win the Long Walk Hurdle. Duc De Regniere finished second with Mobaasher following in third. Sentry Duty made it a hat-trick of wins for Henderson's stable as he claimed an impressive victory in an action-packed Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle. Numide had every chance at the last but a bad mistake cost him any chance of victory and he was eventually edged into third by 66-1 outsider Songe, with Belcantista finishing second.
Boylesports.com International Hurdle Ascot, 2m 110 yds
1 Binocular (A P McCoy) N Henderson Evens Fav
2 Celestial Halo (R Walsh) 16-1
Five ran. Dist: 4�, 12 BGC Long Walk Hurdle Ascot, 3m 1f
1 Punchestowns (B J Geraghty) N Henderson 3-1 Fav
2 Duc De Regniere (A P McCoy) 5-1
3 Mobaasher (R Walsh) 8-1
11 ran. Dist: 11, � Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle Ascot, 2m
1 Sentry Duty (B J Geraghty) N Henderson 12-1
2 Belcantista (T J O'Brien) 10-1
3 Songe (T Siddall) 66-1
4 Numide (J E Moore) 12-1
21 ran. 1�, �, 5
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