Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins face off again in another epic clash with Ballyburn and Sir Gino

Constitution Hill made it 1-0 to Nicky Henderson in the private battle between the superstars from Seven Barrows and Closutton this Christmas, so can Willie Mullins strike back with Ballyburn in the second of two outstanding matches at Kempton? Sir Gino stands in his way.

Ballyburn has always had a lofty reputation and, bar one blip, which was a far from disgraceful defeat at the hands of Firefox on his hurdles debut last year, has lived up to it.

Seven wins from eight is as close to an unblemished record as you can get and he looked as good as ever when making a winning chase debut at Punchestown last month. He jumped accurately, if not exuberantly, and his natural ability took over afterwards as he scored as he liked.

However, this will be his toughest test since his runaway victory in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last season and it will also be his first run at two miles since February.

Speed rather than stamina looks like his big asset so the sharper test might suit, but in Sir Gino he faces a bona-fide two-mile specialist and a Grade 1-winning hurdler. The Fighting Fifth hero is also improving according to RPRs and is said to jump fences better than hurdles.

To add further spice, Sir Gino travelled all over Constitution Hill in a racecourse gallop at Newbury last month and everyone saw how good his stablemate was on Thursday. Maybe Sir Gino has improved so much over the summer that he is in the same league as his Seven Barrows superstar? That’s a monstrous thought but one that can’t be ruled out until we’ve seen him up against a horse who can fully test him. Ballyburn is that, so buckle up for another Christmas cracker.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

'It will be a proper, stern test'

On Boxing Day it was Constitution Hill against Lossiemouth, and now Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins go toe to toe with juggernauts from their stable again as Sir Gino and Ballyburn face off in an epic clash.

The duo have been touted as the most exciting novice chasers for the season and we do not have to wait for the Cheltenham Festival for their first meeting in which Sir Gino receives 6lb from his chief rival.

Ballyburn heads the market for the Arkle and Brown Advisory Novices' Chase in March and made a winning chase bow with an easy 13-length success at Punchestown in November.

The scrapping of the Grade 1 two-mile novice chase at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting has forced Mullins' hand to go to Britain for Ballyburn's next opportunity, as the six-year-old bids to become the first Irish-trained winner of the Wayward Lad.

Sir Gino lacks the chasing experience of Ballyburn, but he has already lit up this season with an impressive comeback in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson at Kempton on Boxing Day

Nicky Henderson: "From the first time we tried him over a fence he was excellent."Credit: Edward Whitaker

With Constitution Hill back, the unbeaten four-year-old belatedly makes his chasing bow in a race in which Henderson usually unleashes his chasing greats. Shishkin, Altior, Simonsig and Sprinter Sacre all feature on the Wayward Lad's roll of honour for him.

"From the first time we tried him over a fence he was excellent," Henderson said. "He’s a good horse, but he is short on race experience and the next problem is that Ballyburn is in the way. If he gets beaten here then we’ll have to see what we do next. But he’s in great form and everyone is happy.

"He’s worked well, schooled well and everything is fine. What we do know is that it’ll be a proper, stern test."

Mullins said of Ballyburn: "He goes over there in great shape with a run under his belt and we'll learn a lot from him running over two miles in this company."

What they say

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Brookie
We realise what we're up against, but we thought this would be a good race where we could get some bit of the nice prize-money on offer. We're hoping for a clear run and, while the others are class animals, we have a bit more experience over fences. We could pick up the pieces if something happens and he's already won well for us at Sandown this season. It'll be tough, but we'll take our chance.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Rubaud
It's a hot race, but there aren't many options for these novice chasers where we can start them off now. We know he likes Kempton and loves the ground too. He was a good hurdler and has schooled well at home. However, this is a big task and he has it all to do.
Reporting by Matt Rennie