Binocular and Big Bucks star on Newbury undercard

The British authorities made a shrewd move in transferring the Grade One Fighting Fifth hurdle from the abandoned Newcastle meeting to today´s Newbury card and this 5 horse affair at 13.25 CET, starring Champion Hurdler Binocular (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy) adds further lustre to a great card. It is no walkover either as the unbeaten Peddlers Cross (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) looks a worthy challenger, while Starluck (lan Fleming/ Timmy Murphy), although well held when 4th in the Champion Hurdle, is also not totally out of it.

Although Champion Hurdler, Binocular is not the highest-rated hurdler in training. That honour goes to the staying hurdler Big Bucks (Paul Nicholls/ Tony McCoy), who since being switched back to hurdling, is unbeaten in 8 starts, including all the top events. In the Long Distance Hurdle at 15.30 he has to concede 8 lbs to his 5 opponents, but as he has 20 lbs in hand on official ratings that should be no problem and he looks the banker of the day. Duc de Regniere (Henderson/ Geraghty) and Kayf Arab (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) should follow him home.