Binocular on target for Newcastle

Racing : Binocular is firmly on target to make his seasonal reappearance at Newcastle on Saturday week.

Racing: Binocular is firmly on target to make his seasonal reappearance at Newcastle on Saturday week.

The 2010 Champion Hurdle hero, trained by Nicky Henderson, will have his first outing of the campaign in the Stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

He endured a troubled season last year, missing the defence of his Cheltenham crown and then finishing third behind his successor Hurricane Fly in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in May.

"He's in great form and we're looking forward to him starting off in the Fighting Fifth," said owner JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.

Binocular is 5-4 favourite with Sky Bet for the Newcastle contest

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