Binocular could run in this year's Champion Hurdle.(credit:
Carine06)
Nicky Henderson is optimistic about the chances of Punchestowns making the line-up for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday week.
The Seven Barrows handler declared his Grade One-winning novice to be lame on Friday but the seven-year-old is now sound again and enjoyed a spin on Saturday morning in company with Binocular.
The latter has already endured his own injury scare, with Henderson last week ruling out a crack at the Champion Hurdle due to a muscular problem.
However, that issue has now been resolved and Binocular is back in the Cheltenham frame, although Henderson admits nothing is certain in the build-up to the Festival.
"Punchestowns worked a mile on the grass with Binocular this morning and was sound afterwards," he said on Saturday.
"They are both in great form and, after being lame yesterday, Punchestowns is sound today.
"He might be lame again tomorrow - I don't know - and we will just have to keep monitoring the situation.
"I can't say anything more than that and this could get awfully boring, but rumours spread like wildfire.
"Binocular and Punchestowns have had an unconventional week and you could say an unconventional preparation if they get there.
"Everyone at Seven Barrows are working their socks off and the guys are on top of everything.
"Punchestowns has a new shoe on today and has had an MRI scan and everything is all right.
"There is nothing sinisterly wrong with either of them - it is just bad timing.
"I would say we have a very good chance and I am optimistic."
Punchestowns was one of a number of horses to be in action on the gallops on Saturday as Henderson's plans to take a number of horses to Newbury for a racecourse spin tomorrow have been scrapped due to a forecast overnight frost.
"We worked all of the Cheltenham horses at home this morning and they will not be coming to Newbury tomorrow," he added.
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