This looks a cracking renewal of this Grade 1 contest and champion hurdler Binocular is expected to confirm Cheltenham superiority over Khyber Kim, who hasn't raced since. But the six-year-old may struggle to reverse last month's Newbury running with STARLUCK, whose style of running is suited to this sharp track. Timmy Murphy's mount had Nicky Henderson's charge behind when runner-up in this 12 months ago. Oscar Whisky and Overturn should win races this term but both are returning from a spell on the sidelines, while Sanctuaire disappointed at Exeter three weeks ago. Stablemate Escort'men was a game winner on his reappearance at Chepstow, however, and is worth a try at this higher level.
Barizan (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Pressed leader, lost place 5th, dropped rear and ridden after 4 out, edged left and rallied flat, ran on to go 3rd near finish, not reached leaders, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Carlito Brigante (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4yo hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Binocular (FR) 5-6fav (11-7) Held up in 4th, headway on inside to 3rd before 2 out, chased winner between last 2 and every chance last, lost 2nd and weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Newbury 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Nov.
Bocamix (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in 4th, headway to track leading pair 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner flat, always held, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Carlito Brigante (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4yo hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Escort'men (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, steady headway 4 out, soon tracking leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led before and 2 lengths ahead when blundered last, soon driven and just held on in driving finish, won at Chepstow 2m Limited hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct beating Olofi (10-8) by ns, 8 ran.
Khyber Kim 7-2 (11-7) In rear, headway approaching 3 out, left in lead 2 out, drew clear from last, won at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr beating Muirhead (11-7) by 5l, 7 ran.
Oscar Whisky (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, hit 3 out, effort when not much room soon after, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 18, 4l behind Menorah (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Overturn (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Soon led, ridden to assert entering straight, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Galway 2m hcp hdl gf in Jul beating Bahrain Storm (11-8) by 6l, 19 ran.
Sanctuaire (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Led in and went left start, took keen hold, held up 4th and last, headway to lead briefly 4th, tracked leader, effort 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no chance with leading pair flat, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Salontyre (9-13) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 4yo (2) gs.
Starluck (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up last, good headway to chase leaders and went left 2 out, driven to chase winner flat and stayed on but always held, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Newbury 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Nov.
