Binocular will replace Punjabi in the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, with the latter instead likely to wait for the boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Reigning Champion Hurdle hero Punjabi had been pencilled in for Gosforth Park's Grade One contest on Satu day week, but trainer Nicky Henderson feels Binocular is further forward at this stage of the season.

As a result, Binocular will head north on Saturday week, with Punjabi poised to return to Cheltenham on December 12 for what was his stablemate's initial comeback target.

Henderson said: "Following work on Tuesday, and having spoken to both lots of owners, the plan is swap Punjabi and Binocular around.

"Both horses are in good form and both worked great yesterday.

"But, to be honest, Binocular is the cleaner and the more ready of the two at the current moment.

"Binocular is now going to go to Newcastle for the Fighting Fifth and Punjabi will go for the Boylesports.

"Punjabi has definitely not suffered a setback, it just makes total sense to switch him and Binocular around."

The pair are due to engage in a schooling session at Henderson's Lambourn base on Thursday, with Henderson also eyeing a racecourse gallop for Punjabi next weekend.

"Barry Geraghty is coming over to school Punjabi, and AP (McCoy) will school Binocular," the trainer continued.

"I would ideally like Punjabi to have a racecourse gallop prior to Cheltenham and we are hoping, with Newbury's permission, to do so on Hennessy weekend, which would put him spot-on."