Sir Gino has gained another dimension of fans

Sir Gino (Nico de Boinville 6-5), was spectacular in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, having now raised his bar after emerging as Britain's leading Unibet Champion Hurdle hope

The sublime juvenile hurdler last season, Sir Gino looked set to begin his chasing career at Kempton last Monday, with Constitution Hill earmarked for his eagerly awaited comeback at Newcastle. However, a gallop at Newbury this month in which he dazzled compared to his illustrious stablemate, who was found to be lame afterwards, saw him sent to the north east instead.

This change of plan paid off, times ten, even as the market did not have such faith. There were rumbles about Sir Gino's potential participation due to heavy ground, which led to him drifting alongside Mystical Power, but eventually, it was too easy. Bar a small blip in the back straight, Sir Gino cruised into contention at the second-last and scored by eight lengths in the BetMGM, from Lump Sum, to maintain his perfect record. Mystical Power never landed a blow and finished sixth of the seven runners.

Trainer Nicky Henderson felt the pressure 300 miles away at Newbury, and once the dust settles he must decide whether to stick or twist for the rest of the season, with another hurdling star in his yard to consider too.

"The first reaction is obviously relief," he said. "We haven't pretended that we didn't believe he's very good; we do seriously think he's a bit special. He's getting into that category where nothing but a really dominant display is par for the course. He did exactly that, and it's where the relief is; he's as sharp as we thought. Things have been testing, but you can now look back at that Newbury gallop and see Constitution Hill badly needed it."

The Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day is when Constitution Hill may finally return, which still leaves all the cards to play with Sir Gino, despite his Fighting Fifth success. Kempton's going to be a dilemma. Hurdles or chases, Sir Gino has no worries about what is in front of him.

Champion Hurdle

5-2 Lossiemouth, 3 Sir Gino, 4 State Man, 9-2 Constitution Hill, 15-2 Brighterdaysahead, 25 Mystical Power, 33 bar.

***

We all love a plan moulding together, but Paul Nicholls could not hide his immense satisfaction having produced the Coral Gold Cup winner with Kandoo Kid (Harry Cobden 7-1), on his first run for 232 days. Making a seasonal reappearance, Kandoo Kid was carrying maximum confidence from his stable, even as the only runner to be this fresh. Stalking eager leaders, Kandoo Kid loomed large two out, jumped flawlessly, and had plenty oomph at the end. Michael Geoghegan's lightly raced, handsome grey, popped Broadway Boy by 1.75 lengths. Victtorino flourished too late for third.