Always in control: Binocular (left) had it all his own way

Binocular warmed up for a repeat assault on next month's Champion Hurdle with a bloodless success in the toteplacepot Contenders Hurdle at Sandown. Nicky Henderson's six-year-old was thwarted by less than a length when beaten into third at the festival last year, but there was little to be learned from his length beating of two inferior rivals here.

The 1-7 favourite enjoyed little more then a canter round the Esher track under Tony McCoy, who sat motionless as the JP McManus-owned runner coasted across the line. Most bookmakers saw little to cause his odds to tumble for the Champion Hurdle leaving him at a general 7-1.

Henderson said: "He enjoyed himself out there and it will have done everyone good. He has done all that was asked of him and we have got five weeks to go until Cheltenham. It is important to get runs into them at this time of year and there is still a bit to work on."

McCoy was not so enthusiastic, adding: "For some reason he is not showing the same level as form as last year. He may progress with another month but he is some way off it yet, although his trainer is a master of getting them ready for Cheltenham."

Punchestowns overcame an horrendous blunder at the seventh fence to take the totepool Challengers Novices' Chase. AP McCoy had already set up a handy lead on Tchico Polos when Punchestowns made what could have been a crucial error. However, Barry Geraghty bided his time on the 4-11 favourite and swept past Tchico Polos at the last to win as he liked by eight lengths. The winner hardened to 5-2 from 7-2 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

Meanwhile at Doncaster, Paul Nicholls produced another magnificent training performance as his long-term absentee Woolcombe Folly booked his place in the Arkle Trophy line-up with a comeback victory in the Blue Square Lightning Novices' Chase. The five-time hurdle winner had been off the track since scoring at Kempton in October 2008 and was sent off at 7-2 as he took on the highly-regarded Mad Max and Ferdy Murphy's course-winning mare I'm Delilah.

Ruby Walsh settled the eventual winner towards the rear in the early stages but appeared confident he could pick up the leaders. Ferdy Murphy's I'm Delilah made a bold fist of it from the front and a couple of fine leaps meant she maintained her advantage as the field straightened up for home.

As hot favourite Mad Max's challenge petered out, 7-2 chance Woolcombe Folly emerged as the main danger and after a ding-dong battle after the last, it was Nicholls' charge who was named the winner by a nose after a tense photo finish.