Binocular was one of the stars set to be in action at Sandown on Saturday
PICTURE: Getty ImagesBy James Burn 8:12AM 3 FEB 2012
SANDOWN'S fixture on Saturday, due to feature the Grade 1 Betfred-backed Scilly Isles Novices' Chase, has been abandoned.
The 2010 Champion Hurdle winner Binocular was set to be in action in the Betfred Double Delight Contenders Hurdle, but temperatures of -4C on Thursday night have forced officials to cancel the card with parts of the course frozen.
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"The bitter wind dropped, but in terms of temperatures it was around -4C which was the coldest night of the week.
"Any bare or worn patches from previous meetings under the covers are pretty solid and there isn't any prospect of the weather changing."
Nicky Henderson, who trains Binocular, said in Friday's Racing Post he would be keen for the Contenders Hurdle to be rescheduled and Cooper added: "We don't have a great deal of input in that. It would be a BHA-led initiative.
"But I'm sure, given the calibre of races we've lost, there will besome discussion at the BHA."
Nicky Henderson: three options
PICTURE: Hugh RoutledgeHenderson identified three other potential contests for Binocular, who won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last time and is a 10-1 chance with Paddy Power for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Kelso's BetVictor Morebattle Hurdle on February 15, the BathwickTyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on the February 18 or the same day's Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park have been suggested as alternatives.
The Kingwell, however, has long been the target of Binocular's stablemate and fellow Champion Hurdle contender Grandouet and the trainer would prefer to keep them apart.
Henderson, who was also "mad keen" to run smart staying chaser Burton Port on Sandown's card, said: "Obviously I would prefer not to run Binocular and Grandouet together. Perhaps there is also the opportunity for some racecourse to offer to put on the Contenders Hurdle."
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