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Unibet Champion Hurdle
Grade 1, Cheltenham 16:00
£450,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
2m 87y, Class 1  
Tuesday 10th March 2026

Sir Gino returned to the fray in emphatic fashion, confirming that his talent remains undimmed with a commanding success in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

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.”

Unibet Champion Hurdle
£450,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 87y, Class 1
POSSIBLE entries
Going:

HORSE AGE TRAINER
Anzadam 6 - W P Mullins
Ballyburn 8 - W P Mullins
Burdett Road 6 - James Owen
Constitution Hill 9 - Nicky Henderson
East India Dock 5 - James Owen
El Fabiolo 9 - W P Mullins
Final Demand 7 - W P Mullins
Golden Ace 8 - Jeremy Scott
Hello Neighbour 5 - Gavin Cromwell
Irancy 8 - W P Mullins
Kargese 6 - W P Mullins
Kawaboomga 6 - W P Mullins
Kopeck De Mee 6 - W P Mullins
Kopek Des Bordes 6 - W P Mullins
Lossiemouth 7 - W P Mullins
Lulamba 5 - Nicky Henderson
Murcia 5 - W P Mullins
Poniros 5 - W P Mullins
Salvator Mundi 6 - W P Mullins
Sir Gino 5 - Nicky Henderson
The New Lion 7 - Dan Skelton
William Munny 8 - Barry Connell
Wodhooh 6 - Gordon Elliott

CHAMPION HURDLE PREVIOUS RESULTS

Year    Winner    Age/Wt     Jockey    Trainer     Owner    SP    Ran

2025 Golden Ace 7 11-3 Lorcan Williams Jeremy Scott I F Gosden 25/1 7

2024 State Man 7 11-10 Paul Townend W P Mullins Mrs J Donnelly 2/5F 8

2023 Constitution Hill 6 11-10 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville Michael Buckley 4/11F 7

2022 Honeysuckle 7 11-03 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore Kenneth Alexander 8/11F 10

2021 Honeysuckle 7 11-03 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore Kenneth Alexander 11/10F 10

2020 Epatante 6 11-03 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson J P McManus 2/1F 17

2019 Espoir D’Allen 5-11-10 Mark Walsh Gavin Cromwell IRE J P McManus 16/1 10

2018-WINNER- BUVEUR D’AIR 7-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-4/6 Fav
2ND-Melon 6-11-10 Owner-Mrs Joe Donnelly; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-7/1
3RD-Mick Jazz 7-11-10 Owner-George Mahony; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-25/1
11 ran, Time-4m 5.00s; Dist-nk, 3

2017-WINNER-BUVEUR D’AIR 6-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-5/1 2ND-My Tent Or Yours 10-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Aidan Coleman; SP-16/1
3RD-Petit Mouchoir 6-11-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Henry de Bromhead IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-6/1 11 ran, Time-3m 50.90s; Dist-41⁄2, 3 2/1 Fav Yanworth (Disqualified from 7th – banned substance in sample)

2016-WINNER-ANNIE POWER 8-11-03 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-5/2 Fav
2ND-My Tent Or Yours 9-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-10/1
3RD-Nichols Canyon 6-11-10 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-15/2
12 ran, Time-3m 45.10s (new record); Dist-41⁄2, hd

2015-WINNER-FAUGHEEN 7-11-10 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-4/5 Fav
2ND-Arctic Fire 6-11-10 Owner-Wicklow Bloodstock Limited; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-20/1
3RD-Hurricane Fly 11-11-10 Owner-George Creighton & Rose Boyd; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend ; SP-8/1
8 ran, Time-3m 50.90s; Dist-11⁄2, 5

2014-WINNER-JEZKI 6-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/1
2ND-My Tent Or Yours 7-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-3/1
3RD-The New One 6-11-10 Owner-Sarah Such; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-10/3
9 ran, Time-3m 45.25s (new record); Dist-nk, 2½ 11/4 Fav Hurricane Fly (4th)

2013-WINNER- HURRICANE FLY 9-11-10 Owner-George Creighton & Rose Boyd; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-13/8 Fav
2ND-Rock On Ruby 8-11-10 Owner-The Festival Goers; Trainer-Harry Fry; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-11/2
3RD-Countrywide Flame 5-11-10 Owner-Estio Pinnacle Racing; Trainer-John Quinn; Jockey-Denis O’Regan; SP-16/1
9 ran, Time-3m 59.35s; Dist-2½, 1¾

2012-WINNER-ROCK ON RUBY 7-11-10 Owner-The Festival Goers; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-11/1
2ND-Overturn 8-11-10 Owner-Tim Leslie; Trainer-Donald McCain; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-20/1
3RD-Hurricane Fly 8-11-10 Owner-George Creighton & Rose Boyd; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-4/6 Fav
10 ran, Time-3m 50.10s; Dist 3¾, 1¾

2011-WINNER-HURRICANE FLY 7-11-10 Owner-George Creighton & Mrs Rose Boyd; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/4 Fav
2ND-Peddlers Cross 6-11-10 Owner-Tim Leslie; Trainer-Donald McCain; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-9/2
3RD-Oscar Whisky 6-11-10 Owner- Walters Plant Hire Ltd; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
11 ran, Time-3m 53.71s; Dist 11⁄4 , 5

2010-WINNER-BINOCULAR 6-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-9/1
2ND-Khyber Kim 8-11-10 Owner-Caroline Mould; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-7/1
3RD-Zaynar 5-11-10 Owner- Men In Our Position; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Andrew Tinkler; SP-15/2
12 ran, Time-3m 53.80s; Dist-3½, 6 11/4 Fav Go Native (10th)

2009-WINNER-PUNJABI 6-11-10 Owner-Raymond Tooth; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-22/1
2ND-Celestial Halo 5-11-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-17/2
3RD-Binocular 5-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-6/4 Fav
23 ran, Time-4m 0.90s; Dist- nk, hd

2008-WINNER-KATCHIT 5-11-10 Owner-D S J P Syndicate; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-10/1
2ND-Osana 6-11-10 Owner-Thomas Barr; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-9/2
3RD-Punjabi 5-11-10 Owner-Raymond Tooth; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-25/1
15 ran, Time-4m 8.10s; Dist-1, 5 2/1 Fav Sizing Europe (14th)

2007-WINNER-SUBLIMITY 7-11-10 Owner-Bill Hennessy; Trainer-John Carr IRE; Jockey-Philip Carberry; SP-16/1
2ND-Brave Inca 9-11-10 Owner-Novices Syndicate; Trainer-Colm Murphy IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/2
3RD-Afsoun 5-11-10 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-28/1
10 ran, Time-3m 55.70s; Dist-3, nk 6/4 Fav Detroit City (6th)

2006-WINNER-BRAVE INCA 8-11-10 Owner-Novices Syndicate; Trainer-Colm Murphy IRE; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-7/4 Fav
2ND-Macs Joy 7-11-10 Owner-Mac’s J Racing Syndicate; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-13/2
3RD-Hardy Eustace 9-11-10 Owner-Lar Byrne; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer; SP-11/2
18 ran. Time-3m 50.00s; Dist-1, 3½

2005-WINNER-HARDY EUSTACE 8-11-10 Owner-Lar Byrne; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer; SP-
7/2 Jt Fav
2ND-Harchibald 6-11-10 Owner-Des Sharkey; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-7/1
3RD-Brave Inca 7-11-10 Owner-Novices Syndicate; Trainer-Colm Murphy IRE; Jockey-Barry Cash; SP-10/1
14 ran, Time-3m 51.50s; Dist-nk, nk 7/2 Jt Fav Back In Front (9th)

2004-WINNER-HARDY EUSTACE 7-11-10 Owner-Lar Byrne; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer; SP-33/1
2ND-Rooster Booster 10-11-10 Owner-Terry Warner; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-11/8 Fav
3RD-Intersky Falcon 7-11-10 Owner-Interskyracing.com & Jacqui O’Neill; Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Liam Cooper; SP-8/1
14 ran, Time-3m 54.50s; Dist-5, 4

2003-WINNER-ROOSTER BOOSTER 9-12-00 Owner-Terry Warner; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-9/2
2ND-Westender 7-12-00 Owner-Matt Archer & Jean Broadhurst; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Rodi Greene; SP-33/1
3RD-Rhinestone Cowboy 7-12-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-5/2
Fav 17 ran, Time-3m 54.70s; Dist-11, 3

2002-WINNER-HORS LA LOI III 7-12-00 Owner-Paul Green; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Dean Gallagher; SP-10/1
2ND-Marble Arch 6-12-00 Owner-Martin Wilson, Rory Sweet and Mary Wilson; Trainer-Hughie Morrison; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-25/1
3RD-Bilboa 5-11-09 Owner-Jorg Vasicek; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Thierry Doumen; SP-14/1
15 ran, Time-3m 53.80s; Dist- 3, ½ 2/1 Fav Istabraq (pu)

2001 Cancelled

2000-WINNER-ISTABRAQ 8-12-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-8/15 Fav
2ND-Hors La Loi III 5-12-00 Owner-Paul Green; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Dean Gallagher; SP-11/1
3RD-Blue Royal 5-12-00 Owner-Lynn Wilson; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-16/1
12 ran, Time-3m 48.10s; Dist-4, nk

1999-WINNER-ISTABRAQ 7-12-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-4/9 Fav
2ND-Theatreworld 7-12-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Tommy Treacy; SP-16/1 3RD-French Holly 8-12-00 Owner-Kieran Flood; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Andrew Thornton; SP-11/2
14 ran, Time 3m 56.7s; Dist-3½, 2½

1998-WINNER-ISTABRAQ 6-12-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-3/1 Fav
2ND-Theatreworld 6-12-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Tommy Treacy; SP-20/1
3RD-I’m Supposin 6-12-00 Owner-Nicholas Cooper; Trainer-Richard Rowe; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-6/1
18 ran, Time 3m 49.1s; Dist-12, 1

1997-WINNER-MAKE A STAND 6-12-00 Owner-Peter Deal; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-7/1
2ND-Theatreworld 5-12-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-33/1
3RD-Space Trucker 6-12-00 Owner-Elaine Queally; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-John Shortt; SP-9/2
17 ran, Time-3m 48.4s, Dist-5, ¾ 7/2 Fav Large Action (pu)

1996-WINNER-COLLIER BAY 6-12-00 Owner-Wally Sturt; Trainer-Jim Old; Jockey-Graham Bradley; SP-9/1
2ND-Alderbrook 7-12-00 Owner-Ernie Pick; Trainer-Kim Bailey; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-10/11 Fav
3RD-Pridwell 6-12-00 Owner-Jones, Berstock and Fleet Partnership; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Chris Maude;
SP-33/1 16 ran, Time-3m 59.0s, Dist-2½, 6

1995-WINNER-ALDERBROOK 6-12-00 Owner-Ernie Pick; Trainer-Kim Bailey; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-11/2
2ND-Large Action 7-12-00 Owner-Brian Stewart-Brown; Trainer-Oliver Sherwood; Jockey-Jamie Osborne; SP-4/1 Jt Fav
3RD-Danoli 7-12-00 Owner-Dan O’Neill; Trainer-Tom Foley IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-4/1 Jt Fav
14 ran, Time-4m 03.1s, Dist-5, 2