Nicky Henderson will be hoping to see the real Binocular when the horse heads to Sandown on Saturday.

Last year’s Champion Hurdle third is being aimed at another tilt at the Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival showpiece but his form has dipped this season.

After finishing fifth behind Go Native in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, he could only manage third in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and Henderson has been left dismayed by the superstar’s performances.

However, the trainer is now hopeful of an improved performance in the toteswinger Contenders Hurdle on Saturday and explained: "We have got a big weekend coming up this weekend if the weather will allow us in that Binocular will go to Sandown.

"We are taking this route because I'm pretty sure he wants more room, a big galloping track and hopefully a good pace.

"At Newcastle, and to a degree Kempton although that was better, the season has not quite got off to the start we anticipated with him, but I am hoping we are getting there.

"We have been trying very hard to analyse the whole thing. He does seem very good at the moment. That's not saying he wasn't good before but we feel there has been a bit missing.

"He's sparky enough, it's as though he's not quite as quick as he once was. He's grown into a big, strong horse. He shouldn't have lost any of his speed and has matured.

"There's no point pretending he hasn't been disappointing but he ran a respectable race at Kempton and was coming back at the end."

Binocular is currently an 8/1 shot for the Champion Hurdle with leading betting firm Ladbrokes. Follow this link to their site for information on how to get a free bet on any of their Cheltenham Festival antepost markets.

Champion Hurdle - Ladbrokes

2m, Cheltenham, March 2010
5 Solwhit, 5 Zaynar, 6 Go Native, 8 Binocular, 8 Khyber Kim, 14 Starluck, 14 Medermit, 14 Punjabi, 16 Celestial Halo, 20 Sublimity, 33 Rock Noir, 40 Donnas Palm, 50 bar, others on request (1/4 odds 1,2,3)