Champion Hurdle favourites set to go head-to-head at Newcastle
25.11.2009
There's a mouth-watering clash on the cards at Newcastle this Saturday, with Binocular and Solwhit both in line for the WBX.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
Binocular is the current 4.3 favourite and popular racing tips punt for the Cheltenham Champion's Hurdle while Solwhit is now joint second favourite at 7.0, after an impressive victory over Hurricane Fly at Punchestown.
Unsurprisingly the two French breds head the betting by a distance this weekend and have been attracting plenty of early money horse racing tips, with Binocular currently edging out Solwhit 2.02 to 2.68. Last year's runner up, Sublimity, is third favourite at 15.0 but the nine year old will have to run one of his best ever races if he is to keep up with the front pair.
The Grade 1 race had originally attracted 25 entrants but that was cut to nine on Monday, of which just three are trained in Britain. That trio includes Binocular, whose trainer, Nicky Henderson, said: "It's a hot little race but what do you expect for a Grade 1?
"We're having a go and Tony McCoy rides. J P is making the trip up and the horse is in good order."
Henderson's original plan was to run his other leading hurdler, Punjabi, in this race and save Binocular for the International Hurdle, in December. However, after consulting the two owners it was decided to switch plans as Punjabi: "needs a little more time before his first run of the season."
Binocular now faces the unenviable task of taking on the Cheltenham betting tips and an in-form Solwhit, who is gunning for a fifth successive victory.
Whoever does win the race will take a step closer to a massive end of season bonus. Anyone that manages to win all three legs of the WBX.com Triple Crown, consisting of the Fighting Fifth, Kempton's Christmas Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle, will receive a £1million prize.
Please Email Us with your suggestions for future betting articles.
