Binocular reappears in the Fighting Fifth

worst fighting fifth in ages. i suppose sanctuaire will be taken out? realistically its between brampour, binocular, overturn and celestial halo. i think celestial halo ran below form lto...

Brampour is not running.

Are you sure, sint?

Has anyone noticed Henderson mentioning Spirit Son setback, as mentioned by poster on here?

Well that is what Nicholls said on Sunday. He will go for another handicap or the Bula.

Celestial Halo is their runner along with Santuaire

Steveo, I would be inclined to ignore that comment re a setback. If there was his odds would have drifted but they havent

Sint why is he 14/1 with Korals all of a sudden? I hope it is incorrect,as had nibble on him for Champ Hurdle and in tff lists.

No idea tbh.

I'd just rather not believe it until his odds drift on here. If they do then maybe it is true.

Korral odds maker on Twitter says it is because he has been friendless in the betting ..

Sint,

I saw Nicholls mention the Bula as he was going to run Celestial Halo in the FF....but then he entered CH in the Ascot Hurdle on Saturday.

Was rather hoping a switch to Ascot for Celestial Halo meant a switch to Newcastle for Brampour?

I'd not be sure tbh Headmaster. There is only a two week gap between races for Brampour then. Nicholls today quoted as saying he might go for the Ladbroke H'cap .. on sporting life.

Sint, hope Koral man right as 14s big big? If anything happens to The Fly?

Yeah, saw that.  Not sure Ascot's a good move for the horse tbh. Bino apart the FF is there for the taking and I've had a good dig at 14s 1, 2, 3 so quite keen for him to show up!

Do we think Overturn is likely to turn up again?
Fairly hard race at Ascot so would be a surprise, and if he did i am not sure he would do himself justice.

The FF is often a small field but normally a decent one - this year's renewal could be terrible if Overturn and Brampour miss it - would almost be a match race between CH and Bino!!

He probably wont run so irrelevant, but why are stan james 10/1 brampour seeing as they have now gone NRNB?

Bizarre but good spot!

10/1 NRNB Brampour ? That's rather generous but I guess he cant be running and they just want people to put money in their accounts .. very cynical ..

This race will/is no better than the Morgiana.

10/1 NRNB is a rick, simple as that.

was a rick!

looks a terrible renewal.

I didn't get on so he better not turn up now!

I think you're safe, AD.

I'm a thicko needing help!

If Stanj are NR/No bet is there a R4 to be applied if one pulls out, or do normal ante post rules
still apply?

I don't think bookies are allowed to do any R4's until final declarations have been made unless they say so
in the small print underneath the prices offered on the race.

Binocular - if you ignore his victory at 1/10fav he has disappointed in 3 of his last 4 races culminating in a
performance in ireland were he was given a 4 length head start yet still soundly beaten. I think he still has
plenty of ability but ain't too keen on using it anymore . Has the beating of the other 2 on the book but it's guess work as to what his mental condition will be and he's 5/6.
Overturn- Only has one way to run and thats from the front. Ground looks like being ideal but not ideal that
he had a hard race last week. I've become uncertain as to what his best trip is over hurdles and it may be 2 1/2m on fast ground.
Celestial Halo- Front runner but is equally effective sitting off the lead. Imo he doesn't have that zest
in him that he used to have. Still I tough performer. 
The only horse I could consider backing in this race at the prices is Overturn but I don't lack the fact he's
re-appearing so soon after a hard race and CH could pester him for the lead. Given that my judgement was way out on this type of race last weekend I'm going to pass on this one.

i agree, i think overturn would definitely be the horse to beat if he didnt run at ascot. il be swerving the race!

Did he have a hard race? He coasted home after the fav fell, if he'd had a battle after the last I'd agree with you. This lad is tough as old boots, I wouldn't worry about his condition, just a case of if he's good enough.

connections gave me the impression from what i read that overturn is running as they might as well have a bash while he's got his ground...last week was the plan , this is the after-thought....still might win though of course.!!

The meeting is very likely to be off due to high winds

I cann't see them calling it off because of a predicted 18mph wind.

There is the very real possiblity of 70 mph gusts in Newcastle tomorrow

Highly likely to be called off

30 - 35 mph predicted winds according to mccoy, marooned......... exaggeration there? its not a hurricane

there's differing forecasts....on the plus side it is the met office that have 30-35 mph winds.....but on another forecast from the bbc they say 60mph with an outside chance of 75mph gusts!!

Don't think Overturn had to be in peak shape to win this and the form probably amounts to little with Celestial
Halo running well below form again and Binocular not looking too keen again.
Binocular looked in excellent shape pre-race and I can only see connections having 2 options to stop the rot
1. Change jockeys - he's probably  got wise to AP and a diff jockey would give him something to think about.
                     With JP retaining him the chance of this happenning is negligble.
2. Put Blinkers on him - These could sharpen him up for 1-2 races. Henderson has no problem using Blinkers
                     on his horses and it would be no surprise to see them used at some point this year.
                     
I'm sure this horse still has ability and if he turns up at Chelt in March with blinkers on he could run second
to HF.

couldnt even see him placing at cheltenham.