Last Ran: 20th December 2008

What a line up we have for the 2008 boylesports.com International Hurdle which is run on Saturday at Ascot racecourse having been abandoned last weekend at Cheltenham due to a waterlogged track.

Binocular heads the betting after a stunning victory at Haydock in November, he finished with more to give and the race never looked in doubt. He is a real star who posseses amazing jumping ability. This will be his last race before heading for the Champion Hurdle and as the odds suggest he is the one that they will all be watching, however he is beatable especially in a race like this with field full of top notch horses.

Last season's Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle hero Crack Away Jack was last seen in the Ascot Hurdle in November, just losing out to first placed Chomba Womba, his jumping wasn't up to scratch that day and he did make some blunders. He drops back to two miles here and reports suggest he is better for that run, whether he can turn the tables on Chomba Womba remains to be seen.

Champion Hurdle victor Katchit also takes his chance on Saturday, he has had two starts this season but has yet to get home first. Written off a tad to early by some people is my guess, he has a fantstic record at Cheltenham with six runs and from that five wins and a second place. He has his chance to put the sceptics to rest here and show what a Champion is.

Chomba Womba has made a cracking impression so far this season with wins in the Elite Hurdle beating Katchit and the Ascot Hurdle where she beat Crack Away Jack home. She has terrific speed and could show the boys a thing or two.

Paul Nicholls has Celestial Halo who makes his seasonal debut and completes the small field for the rearranged Boylesports International.