Nicky Henderson in major conundrum after Sir Gino shakes up Champion Hurdle picture with Fighting Fifth romp

Sir Gino was the supersub before the Fighting Fifth Hurdle but is now a superstar after emerging as Britain's leading Unibet Champion Hurdle hope with a sublime performance. 

The leading juvenile hurdler last season, Sir Gino looked set to begin his chasing career at Kempton last Monday, with Constitution Hill earmarked for his eagerly awaited comeback at Newcastle. However, a gallop at Newbury this month in which he dazzled compared to his illustrious stablemate, who was found to be lame afterwards, saw him sent to the north east instead.

The change of plan spectacularly paid off, even if the market did not always think so. There were rumbles about Sir Gino's potential participation due to the ground before the race, which led to him drifting to become a 6-5 joint-favourite alongside Mystical Power, but in the end it was all so smooth.

Bar a small blip in the back straight, Sir Gino cruised into contention at the second-last and scored by eight lengths in the BetMGM-backed Grade 1 from Lump Sum to maintain his perfect record. Mystical Power never landed a blow and finished sixth of the seven runners.

Sir Gino produces a big leap on his way to victory in the Fighting FifthCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I'm delighted and very grateful for the racecourse as well for the ground today. It took them all week but they got it right," said winning rider Nico de Boinville. 

"He was very gassy early doors and it was a case of switching him off a bit. They went a nice, even gallop but I didn't want to get penned in down the rail and he missed one down the side. That was the only error he made, but apart from that he pinged all of them."

The sparkling success saw Sir Gino cut to 3-1 second favourite (from 11-2) with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power for the Champion Hurdle, but De Boinville still believes the best is to come over fences.

He added: "He's got loads of scope and you can see why we think he's going to be a chaser; it's all there. He's a very, very talented horse and we've always known that, but he had to come and do it like that."

Nicky Henderson with his wife Sophie at Newbury after Sir Gino wins the Fighting Fifth at NewcastleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer Nicky Henderson felt the pressure 300 miles away at Newbury, and once the dust settles he must decide whether to stick or twist for the rest of the season, with another hurdling star in his yard to consider too.

"The first reaction is obviously relief," he said. "We haven't pretended that we didn't believe he's very good; we do seriously think he's a bit special. 

"He's getting into that category where nothing but a really dominant display is going to satisfy everybody. He did exactly that and it's where the relief is; he's as good as we thought. Things have been testing, but you can now look back at that Newbury gallop and see that Constitution Hill badly needed it."

The Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day is when Constitution Hill may finally return, which still leaves all the cards to play with Sir Gino, despite his Fighting Fifth success.

Nico de Boinville and groom Karolina Wernerova with Sir Gino after his Fighting Fifth triumphCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"It presents the conundrum about where we go next," Henderson added. "The idea was to go chasing. If you see a better horse over a fence I'd be amazed as he's absolutely breathtaking. 

"We don't have to decide here and now, but it does look like he's staying in that hurdle game.

"Kempton's going to be a dilemma. You might say we're best staying over hurdles and leaving chasing until next season, but he's a very good jumper, no matter what you put in front of him."

Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 11)
Paddy Power: 5-2 Lossiemouth, 3 Sir Gino, 4 State Man, 9-2 Constitution Hill, 15-2 Brighterdaysahead, 25 Mystical Power, 33 bar.

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