How could any horse do that to Ballyburn? Sir Gino embarks on the road to greatness as Mullins suffers another Christmas blow

It felt as though his greatness was being acclaimed long before the race was won.

More than half a mile had still to be covered when Sir Gino soared magnificently over the fourth-last fence, yet the roar that erupted from Kempton's grandstands told you this collection of jumps fans had anointed him already. On a foggy, chilly, thrilling afternoon, we were surely witness to something special. Love the darts, they often say at this time of year. You can love it all you want. For some of us, that sort of fourth-last fence moment can never be topped.

On what for racing folk is the first day of Christmas, Constitution Hill humbled Lossiemouth. This time it was their stablemates, Sir Gino and Ballyburn, who went to the oche at a venue where the sense of anticipation was palpable.