Fleming eyeing the Kingwell for Starluck as Binocular sees him off

Alan Fleming could send Starluck to the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton next month following his defeat by Binocular in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Saturday.

Starluck was beaten six lengths by the reigning Champion Hurdler and although the six-year-old has taken the race well, plans are up in the air, according to the trainer.

Fleming has hinted that he may bypass the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race in which he finished fifth last year. He said: "I'm not sure where we'll go next. He's probably going to have a few weeks off and have an easy time of it.

"I don't think he'll go for the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las [5 February] because the ground can get a bit soft at this time of year and he's a horse who needs faster ground.

"We could head to the Kingwell Hurdle [19 February] if the ground is okay but I really don't know."

Reflecting on his latest defeat by Binocular, Fleming added: "The winner looked really good. If he shows that sort of form at Cheltenham, there's not a hurdler in the country who will be able to live with him.

"Cheltenham isn't the be-all and end-all and I'm not sure if we'll end up there or not."

Leading Arkle Trophy hope Finian's Rainbow is aiming to build on an impressive chasing debut when he lines up in the 2m 1f Zenergi Novices' Chase at Newbury tomorrow.

Trainer Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old has been cut to 5-1 by bookmaker Stan James, making him the joint market-leader with Ghizao.