Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle
Grade 1, Kempton Park 13:55
£130,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
2m, Class 1  
Friday 26th December 2025

1 Sir Gino 4/7F
2 Golden Ace 5/1
3 Rubaud 16/1
6 ran Distances: 6l, 3½l, 1¼l
Time: 3m 41.29s (fast by 0.71s)

Sir Gino returned to the fray in emphatic fashion, confirming that his talent remains undimmed with a commanding success.

The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old had not been seen on a racecourse since the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at this meeting 12 months ago, his season subsequently curtailed by an infection that at one stage required a spell in hospital. Patiently rehabilitated by the Seven Barrows team, Sir Gino lined up as the 4-7 favourite for his long-awaited comeback in a Grade One contest dominated in recent years by his illustrious stablemate Constitution Hill.

Racing with his familiar zest and enthusiasm, Sir Gino travelled powerfully throughout and, once asked to stretch, quickly asserted. In the straight he pulled clear in convincing style, leaving reigning Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace six lengths adrift, with Nico de Boinville able to savour the closing stages.

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.”

Installed as the general 7-4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle in March, Sir Gino now heads the market in a season where State Man, also owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, has already been ruled out. Henderson believes his charge could hold a major hand wherever he turns.

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 was beaten by Sir Gino in a racecourse gallop at Newbury last year, before enduring a torrid spell of misfortune 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.”

Jeremy Scott, trainer of the gallant Golden Ace, felt conditions were far from ideal for his mare but was encouraged by her performance ahead of a likely Cheltenham return.

He said: “She was up against it on a quick, flat track and fast ground.

“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.”

Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)
£130,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Sir Gino 5 11-10 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 4/7F
2 6 Golden Ace 7 11-3 Jeremy Scott Lorcan Williams 5/1
3 3½ Rubaud 7 11-10 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 16/1
4 1¼ Celtic Dino 6 11-10 Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston 4/1
5 7½ Tripoli Flyer 6 11-10 Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke 28/1
6 4¼ Give It To Me Oj 4 11-10 Gary & Josh Moore Caoilin Quinn 50/1

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