Unibet International Hurdle |
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| Grade 2, Cheltenham 15:00 £125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 179y, Class 1  |
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Sir Gino and The New Lion both run in a contest that could provide a fascinating midwinter measuring stick.
He’s back alright! 🤩
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) December 26, 2025
Sir Gino absolutely romps to victory in the Christmas Hurdle under a cool and composed @NdeBoinville 🤝
Does the Champion Hurdle beckon for the @sevenbarrows superstar ⁉️
pic.twitter.com/Tycp1QNZwB
Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino arrives with momentum, last seen powering clear in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, where he left Golden Ace six lengths in arrears. It was a performance that confirmed his place among the leading two-mile hurdlers of the season.
Dan Skelton’s The New Lion needs no introduction to the Cheltenham faithful after lighting up the Festival last spring with victory in the Turners’ Novices Hurdle. His return, however, ended abruptly when he fell at the penultimate flight in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in late November, leaving unanswered questions ahead of this reappearance.
These two are expected to dominate the betting, with only a select supporting cast declared. Kerry Lee’s Nemean Lion, Brentford Hope from the Harry Derham yard complete the field.
Unibet International Hurdle (Grade 2)
£125,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 179y, Class 1
4 runners
Going: Soft
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 2P12-1 Grey Dawning 9 11-10 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
2 /31P-2 L'Homme Presse 11 11-10 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
3 25/51- Flooring Porter 11 11-4 Gavin Cromwell Keith Donoghue
4 25-293 Spillane's Tower 8 11-4 James Joseph Mangan Jack Kennedy
