won the John Smiths Handicap in taking style with the likes of
CELESTIAL HALO behind, whom he has beaten
soundly again since. SUBLIMITY has been seen
twice this season when second behind the talented
PUNJABI in the Fighting
Fifth at Wetherby before going to Leopardstown and beating all his rivals when
staying on well under pressure in soft conditions. He has raced Cheltenham 4
times, winning once and being unplaced on the three other occasions. What is
significant, though of course, is that the victory was in this race in 2007,
Fourth was the best he could manage last year behind
KATCHIT and others, and i believe he will have to better still to
figure this year. Both Katchit and Punjabi belied the stats with their
performances as 5 year olds at the festival, which is something Binocular will
have to do once again to win this race. CRACK AWAY JACK was ridden supremely
confidently in the FRED WINTER last year, but was well held at Ascot just before
Christmas finishing some 20+ lengths behind Binocular. 
2008 Result
| 1 | Katchit (IRE) | 11-10 | R Thornton | A King | 10/1 | ||||
| 2 | 1 | Osana (FR) | 11-10 | T Scudamore | D Pipe | 9/2 | |||
| 3 | 5 | Punjabi | 11-10 | B J Geraghty | N J Henderson | 25/1 | |||
Previous Winners of the Champion Hurdle
- 2008 - Katchit - A King - R Thornton.
- 2007 - Sublimity - J Carr - P Carberry.
- 2006 - Brave Inca - C Murphy - T McCoy
- 2005 - Hardy Eustace - D hughes - C O'Dwyer
- 2004 - Hardy Eustace - D Hughes - C O'Dwyer
- 2003 - Rooster Booster - P Hobbs - R Johnson
- 2002 - Hors La Loi III - J Fanshawe - Dean Gallager
- 2001 - NOT HELD
- 2000 - Israbraq - A O'Brien - C Swann
- 1999 - Istabeaq - A O'Brien - C Swann
- 1998 - Istabraq - A O'Brien - C Swann