Henderson confirms Sir Gino for Champion Hurdle tilt

It will be the “Unibet Hurdle or nothing” for Sir Gino, as Nicky Henderson confirmed his Christmas Hurdle hero is on course to represent Seven Barrows in the Champion Hurdle.

No man has won the Cheltenham Festival’s opening day feature more than Henderson who will be looking for a record-extending 10th success in the race in March.

With the future of Constitution Hill still to be decided after his latest fall in the Fighting Fifth, Sir Gino stated his claims to be a fitting replacement in the showpiece two-mile event with an impressive return to action at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The strapping five-year-old has been given a clean bill of health since that dazzling reappearance and could now follow the same route Constitution Hill took last season, with a dress rehearsal at Cheltenham on Trials day seen as the only suitable option before the Festival itself.

“He’s 100 per cent and he was in terrific form this morning,” said Henderson.

“I think the Champion Hurdle has to be the route and I’ve watched the race in Ireland today between the two girls (Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead) and I can’t believe they are both going to go for the Mares’ but I would be delighted if that’s what they want to do!

“He doesn’t have to run again and it’s looking the Unibet Hurdle or nothing.”

Sir Gino is currently 6-4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle with sponsors Unibet, while Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth is next best at 3-1 following her Christmas victory over Brighterdaysahead at Leopardstown.