Binocular unlikely to be viewed again before Cheltenham

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Binocular is as short as 5-4 favourite for the Smurfit Kappa-sponsored contest after an impressive victory in the Boylesports.com International Hurdle earlier this month, but trainer Nicky Henderson looks set to resist any temptation to run again before the race on 10 March.

Henderson said: "Although nothing is carved in stone at this stage of the season, it is very doubtful that Binocular will have another run before Cheltenham. We were thrilled with his win at Ascot."

Meanwhile, Champion Hurdle second favourite Sizing Europe looks set to miss his intended outing at Leopardstown today due to a bruised foot.

Trainer Henry De Bromhead's six-year-old is a best-priced 8-1 behind Binocular for the Champion Hurdle and was expected to go off at short odds in today's Leopardstown Festival Hurdle where, if the meeting survives an inspection later today, he was due to face three former Champion Hurdlers.

Brave Inca, Hardy Eustace and Sublimity are all set to take their chances in the Grade 1 event but Sizing Europe is unlikely to make it to the start. De Bromhead said: "We discovered that Sizing Europe had bruised a foot when we took him out of his box. We're doing our best to get him to Leopardstown but he might not make it."

Leopardstown must pass a precautionary inspection later today after an unexpected frost hit the Dublin course.

Irish Turf Club spokesman Cliff Noone said: "There was an overnight frost and it was harder than they expected."