/ Timeform / 07 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Binocular gets the better of Ruthenoise at Sandown
"Binocular...will head back to the Champion Hurdle as the standard-setter, though there are plenty of realistic pretenders to his crown in what is shaping up to be the best renewal of the race in recent times."
Timeform look back at Saturday's jumping...
Binocular was the best horse seen out this last weekend, and though he wasn't quite so convincing as might have been hoped from a long odds-on shot, ultimately he got the job done without needing to run anywhere near to his best. He is clearly better judged on what he did at Cheltenham last year and Kempton this, and will head back to the Champion Hurdle as the standard-setter, though there are plenty of realistic pretenders to his crown in what is shaping up to be the best renewal of the race in recent times. Binocular currently heads the market for the race at [4.8].
One such pretender is Binocular's stablemate Oscar Whisky, who landed the odds in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las rather more impressively than Binocular had at Sandown. Oscar Whisky didn't need to better the form he showed at Cheltenham the time before in beating Black Jack Blues by eight lengths, but there haven't been many Champion Hurdle contenders that have created a better visual impression this season. It is not easy to tell quite how much more Oscar Whisky has to offer, but he certainly heads to the Champion as a realistic contender, and will warrant plenty of respect. He currently trades at around the [15.0] market for the race behind Binocular, Menorah, Hurricane Fly and Peddlers Cross.
So far as impact on Cheltenham is concerned, one of the weekend's other most significant events was the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown which went the way of Alan King's Medermit, who produced a career-best effort over fences to beat Captain Chris by half a length. Medermit is confirmed as on target for the Arkle, and though he may not have the potential of the likes of Finians Rainbow, his form at this stage is a good deal more solid. He is now a [6.6] chance for the race, behind Finians Rainbow and Ghizao. Captain Chris improved plenty on anything he had done over fences before to push Medermit close, and he rates as a serious contender for whichever race he takes in at Cheltenham. The Arkle, for which he is a [17.0] shot, is reportedly the preferred option, though his strong finish at Sandown, combined with a tendency to make the odd mistake, makes the longer trip of the Golden Miller seem at least if not more suitable. He can be backed at [10.5] for the latter race.
Another novice chaser to make an impact on Saturday was Wayward Prince, who made it three from three over fences in the Grade 2 Towton at Wetherby. He will face a much stiffer examination in the RSA Chase next month, for which he is a [16.5] shot, but remains open to improvement over fences.
In terms of handicaps, one of the day's most notable efforts came at Sandown courtesy of Kilcrea Kim in the two-and-three-quarter-mile Heroes Handicap Hurdle. Kilcrea Kim has progressed rapidly in winning four of his five starts over timber, and there is surely a smart performance in him sooner rather than later, with a step to a graded novice event is surely on the cards. Another significant handicap performance was that of Blazing Bailey in the three-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at Ffos Las. Blazing Bailey didn't impress over fences last season, but he has been much more convincing this term, winning competitive handicaps on his two most recent starts. There is scope for him to do even better judged on his hurdles form and the William Hill Trophy at the Festival looks the obvious target.
The Champion Chase could prove to be one of the races of the Festival, with dual winner Master Minded set to have another crack at the one who stole his crown last year, Big Zeb. However, Timeform reckon the value lies elsewhere.......
Timeform look back at Saturday's jumping......
Today's Follow The Money movers come from Lingfield and Wolverhampton....
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