Connections of Binocular have hinted that he will have his Champion Hurdle prep at Sandown on February 4 rather than run in the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown this weekend.
Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old, who triumphed in the championship event at Cheltenham in 2010, has in the eyes of many failed to recapture his sparkle.
Nevertheless, the JP McManus-owned French bred landed the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on his last start.
Binocular has won the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown for the past two seasons - last year as a 1-10 favourite - and connections have decided to keep to their tried-and-trusted routine, rather than take on Hurricane Fly in Ireland.
"I'd say he'll run at Sandown," said Frank Berry, McManus' racing manager.
"It's worked for us in the past so I think we'll stick to it.
"We'll get Sandown out of the way first before we start thinking about Cheltenham.
"He's back in good form, though, we've been very pleased with him since Kempton.
"AP (Tony McCoy) said he wasn't quite giving him the same feel but he won a Grade One nonetheless."
