2.25 Kempton
Williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £51,309
Pick: Binocular (win)
Barizan: Enjoyed tremendous juvenile hurdling season ( 6 wins), nearly pulling off one of great front running performances in Triumph Hurdle and romping home at Punchestown festival; Hasn’t come back as good though, getting thrashed by Clerk’s Choice first time out, poor in Elite Hurdle and only one paced at Haydock last time.
Binocular: Reached his true potential when storming to impressive victory in Champion Hurdle romp last year (rated as the best winner of the Champion Hurdle since Istabraq on BHA ratings), having been below par for a large par of the season, putting in blow par efforts in Fighting Fifth (5th) and this race last year(3rd);Travelled very well considering condition in Fighting Fifth behind Peddlers Cross and Starluck last time, and may well be more forward this season than last, which would make him the one to beat considering how much ground he made up on Go Native between these two races last year (was beaten 7 lengths in Fighting Fifth, 1&3/4 in this last year); Rates as one to beat.
Bocamix: Ran creditably on more than one occasion in face of stiff task, but lost his way towards the end of that campaign and was well held in a handicap on last start; Close second behind Carlito Brigante but hugely flattered with weight concession, so has a lot to do to be involved.
Escort’Men: Brought down on first start and had previously finished fifth in a Listed hurdle at Auteuil; Super impressive when landing Dovecote by 14 lengths on bridle; Race fell in front of him to an extent, having been a strongly run affair on soft ground but he was super impressive that day; Not shown to best light by fast Ground at Aintree, and proved he’s got guts to go with class when landing competitive limited handicap on first start this season (recovered from terrible mistake at last); Interesting contender who still has potential.
Khyber Kim: Proved an absolute revelation last year with wins in the Greatwood and Bula Hurdle before an excellent second in the Champion, topped off with a win in the Aintree Hurdle; One of the standouts in this field and set to run a big race if fit and ready.
Oscar Whisky: Made smooth progress as a novice last season, winning his first 2 starts with contemptuous ease and then running fourth in the Supreme Novice Hurdle despite inexperience; Form of that race has stood up in general and would have to be taken seriously if he runs.
Overturn: Made some truly remarkable progress over hurdles and the flat fduring the summer, romping away with the Northumberland Plate, Scottish Champion Hurdle and Galway Hurdle; That doesn’t entitled him to take a hand here but comes from a good yard to do so (same connections of Peddlers Cross) and not to be underestimated on a fair track that’s bound to suit although he still has a lot to do.
Sanctuaire: Promising young French horse who made his British debut in a Taunton novice hurdle winning with a degree of comfort; Nothing compared to what he did next, romping home in the Fred Winter (could be called winner some way out); Slightly disappointing when stepped up into Grade 1 company, pulling too hard for own good (travelled like winner but emptied in home straight);Was making some eye-catching headway in Greatwood Hurdle before falling, and shouldn’t be judged on his third place last time (race was run at a crawl); Stronger the pace, the better and not done improving yet based on his earlier effort.
Starluck: Went some way towards fulfilling potential showed as a juvenile hurdler last season, winning easily at Cheltenham before coming a close second to Go Native in this last year (flattered); 5th behind Binocular in the Champion last year was an excellent run and he came back just as good when pushing Peddlers Cross all the way in Fighting Fifth; Another big run expected.
VERDICT: A very solid renewal of the Christmas Hurdle which will provide the latest in a long line of insights into what is shaping up to be a fascinating Champion Hurdle picture. Although he was beaten in this race last season after showing below par in the Fighting Fifth BINOCULAR shaped as if much more forward this year than last when third at Newbury behind Starluck, being right there without much forcing right up until the last before flattening out, and he could take all the beating with the improvement likely to come. Despite the reappearance of last year’s Champion Hurdle second Khyber Kim, the one to beat may well be Starluck, with a run under his belt at the track he loves, while you’d be foolish to rule out Oscar Whisky, as he’s only had 3 hurdle races, rates a good horse on the Supreme Novice form and he’d love a flat track, while this may prove a bit too tough for Escortmen despite his trainer’s excellent record with 4 year olds in big races. In any case, he rates a more tempting prospect than Overturn despite the conditions being set to suit.
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