TONY McCoy says Binocular proved himself a true champion on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old powered clear up the famous Prestbury Park run-in to land the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, only weeks after a muscle problem had appeared to have ruled him out.

McCoy said a stunning piece of work by Binocular, owned by JP McManus, had convinced him the horse was back to his best and ready to bounce back from disappointing performances this season.

"I think at long last the real Binocular showed up," said the 14-times champion jockey. "I schooled him at Nicky's last Wednesday and I wouldn't have thought he'd have seen another horse go as fast over five hurdles. I frightened myself we went that fast.

"Today I jumped two hurdles and it was the first time that I felt I was riding the horse who won at Ascot last season. He just clips the top bar of the hurdle all the way around and jumps like a champion hurdler should.

"When he is like that, he is very easy and straightforward to ride and he is a really fast jumper. I am so happy for the horse because I have thought the world of him.

"I am so happy for JP and Norah McManus. This is the best feeling I've ever had on a horse."

Henderson said Binocular's remarkable recovery from his problem was due to the hard work of the staff at his stables and vets.

"We were 9/10ths the way to taking him out but a lot of work has been undertaken by a lot of people on both sides of the Irish Sea," he said. "We ironed a few things out and his jumping was the real difference today."

Nigel Twiston-Davies' top hurdler Khyber Kim ran well to finish second, three and half lengths behind Binocular, but the Naunton trainer felt frustrated not to have won.

"If Binocular hadn't run, and he wasn't meant to be running a week ago, we'd have won by six lengths," he said.

Noel Meade, the trainer of 11-4 favourite Go Native, said a mistake at the second hurdle ruined his chances of winning the race under Paul Carberry and collecting a £1 million bonus for his owners.

"Paul said he was lucky to stand up," said Meade. "He sort of dived at it and never felt right after that. We will go home and re-group.

"These things happen in racing and hopefully he will be back here for another day."