Unbeaten hurdler Sir Gino put a strong market down ahead of this season’s Champion Hurdle with an impressive performance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s runner won the Grade One contest by eight lengths.
💛🖤We enjoyed that! Sir Gino cruises around @NewcastleRaces under @NdeBoinville before quickening away from his rivals to give us a 9th Fighting Fifth 🏆 Very well done to the Donnellys. pic.twitter.com/0l7v9bu6sC
— Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) November 30, 2024
The four-year-old beat a strong field at Newcastle that included Aintree and Punchestown winner Mystical Power. He cruised to the front under the hands of Nico de Boinville with two furlongs to go before stretching away from his rivals.
Seven Barrows Runner Has Shown Star Quality
Sir Gino’s victory at Newcastle was the fifth success of his career and the biggest so far. He is now 4/1 in the horse racing betting for the 2025 Champion Hurdle, behind only Lossiemouth, the 6/4 favourite.
As the racing results show, Sir Gino began his career in France, winning a Listed contest at Auteuil. After moving to Henderson’s Seven Barrows’ yard, the novice recorded a quickfire double at Kempton and Cheltenham, respectively.
After missing the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, Sir Gino won his opening Grade One contest in the 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle. Henderson’s runner scored by over three lengths in the novice contest at the Grand National Meeting in Merseyside.
Sir Gino was set to switch to chasing this season, but Henderson made a U-turn ahead of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. His next appearance will likely be in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Constitution Hill Set for A Return to the Track
Henderson is set to go into this season’s Champion Hurdle with a strong team, as former winner Constitution Hill is scheduled to return to the racecourse before the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
Constitution Hill’s last appearance on the track came in the 2023 Christmas Hurdle when he won his eighth race over hurdles. Since then, he has had a couple of setbacks that have ruled him out of action.
The seven-time Grade One winner is as high as 175 in the official ratings. He is considered one of the greatest hurdlers in history. His toughest test to date may come against his stablemate Sir Gino and Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle in March.
State Man to Defend His Crown in Day One Festival Opener
He’s special! State Man wins the Champion Hurdle! #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/a2uyQMhLnH
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 12, 2024
Last year’s winner, State Man, is expected to make his return to the Gloucestershire racecourse later in the campaign as he bids to defend his crown in the Champion Hurdle. Only three horses in the last 20 years have won back-to-back renewals of the Championship race.
State Man had a fantastic campaign last season, winning all five of his races. His latest campaign has begun with defeat, as he had to settle for second place in the Morgiana Hurdle. Willie Mullins’ runner was half-a-length behind Brighterdaysahead in the Grade One contest at Punchestown. He may get the chance to reverse the form with the filly in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown during the festive period.
The 2025 Champion Hurdle is set to take place on Tuesday, 11th of March. It looks set to be one of the strongest renewals of the premier hurdles contest in many years.
