Arise, Sir Gino! Brilliant return for Nicky Henderson’s star

Sir Gino proved his brilliance remains very much intact with a winning return in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park.

Nicky Henderson’s charge had not been seen in competitive action since the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at this meeting 12 months ago, with a subsequent infection that curtailed his season also leading to a spell in hospital.

Having been nursed back to health by the Seven Barrows team, Sir Gino was the 4-7 favourite for his eagerly-anticipated comeback in a Grade One contest won by his esteemed stablemate Constitution Hill in each of the past three seasons.

After racing with his trademark enthusiasm throughout, the five-year-old Sir Gino pulled six lengths clear of reigning Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace for an impressive victory in the hands of Nico de Boinville.

Henderson said: “He (De Boinville) said he was happy to be back and he knew where he was straight away. You wouldn’t normally ride him that way as he has so much speed. He’s a very quick horse and we were a little bit surprised as he doesn’t do anything like that at home but he’s enjoyed himself.

“I was nervous when I saw him pull as hard as he did because that wasn’t in his vocabulary or plan. We thought we’d follow them round and maybe have a crack between the last two but he’s still quickened up well when turning in. We’re all mightily relieved to see him back and he’s seriously good, it’s frightening.

“It’s been a tough old year and there were a few bits in the middle that were pretty worrying. But everyone has done a brilliant job, from the doctors, vets and there’s been a huge team effort where everyone has done their little bits. We had a comfortable and uninterrupted prep and there has been no reoccurrences and this shouldn’t reoccur.”

Sir Gino is now the general 7-4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March and with State Man, who is also owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, sidelined for the season, Henderson thinks he could have an “outstanding chance” in the race.

He said: “We’ll see how the lie of the land is and the two obvious ways are Champion Hurdle or Champion Chase, it’s just a matter of which one.

“Joe Donnelly told me it’s my problem and I really don’t know right now. He’s such a brilliant jumper and it’s a shame to throw away chases but the Champion Hurdle picture is as it is and it wouldn’t be hard to see this horse in a Champion Hurdle.

“He’s a five-year-old and I think we could afford to have a year over hurdles, but I don’t really know. We could say let’s look at the two big pictures and see what’s in them and we know from the point of view of the Donnellys, in the Champion Hurdle they don’t have State Man.

“Constitution Hill is still in the picture and we have to decide what we do with him, but at the same time you can’t help but think Sir Gino has an outstanding chance of winning a Champion Hurdle.”

Constitution Hill came off second-best to Sir Gino in a racecourse gallop at Newbury last year before a torrid run of luck that has seen him fall in three of his last four starts.

“I told you that day at Newbury when people asked me what was wrong with Constitution Hill that you should wait and see what he’s got in front of him,” said Henderson.

“They are both super talented and Sir Gino is a very, very good horse with so much speed. But so is the other boy and we don’t know what we’re doing with Constitution Hill yet, he’s just ticking time until we decide what we do.”

Trainer Jeremy Scott felt Golden Ace was “up against it on a quick, flat track and fast ground” but was delighted with her run ahead of a Cheltenham defence in March.

He said: “She went to the Kingwell last year but she will have a few weeks quiet now and see where it takes us, but I’m thinking straight to the Champion Hurdle would be the plan.

“Sir Gino was awesome and it’s a hell of a training performance. But she wasn’t a million miles away and when things weren’t going her way, I thought that made today’s run even more impressive. She was off her legs and just doesn’t have that turn of foot, so I think to do what she did was very good.”