Why 7-2 is a terrible price for the Champion Hurdle about Sir Gino

Sir Gino is a horse worth getting enthusiastic about but not for the Champion Hurdle. Nicky Henderson's four-year-old made a strong start to his season with victory in the Fighting Fifth on Saturday, pocketing a Grade 1 prize without coming under pressure, but when everyone's heart rate has returned to normal, it would be no surprise to hear of him being committed once more to novice chasing.

His passage around Newcastle was smoothed by the dismal showing of Mystical Power, sent off as 6-5 joint-favourite but in trouble soon after halfway and eventually beaten by every runner except the 200-1 shot. Perhaps, after four races, the hood needs to come off or perhaps there was some physical issue.

Otherwise, the Fighting Fifth field ran in line with their ratings. Lump Sum, rated 9lb below Sir Gino, trailed him by eight lengths. Third-placed Kihavah got a couple of lengths closer to the winner than might have been expected from his mark of 136.