SIR GINO PUT up a scintillating display to see off Ballyburn in a much-anticipated clash for the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park.
For the second time in two days, the Grade Two contest threw up a mouthwatering clash between two superstars from the powerhouse yards of Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins.
And as was the case in the Christmas Hurdle, in which Constitution Hill saw off Lossiemouth, top honours went to Seven Barrows – and in some style, too.
Sir Gino, so impressive when deputising for Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance, was the well-backed 8-13 favourite to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles under Nico de Boinville.
Ballyburn, a triple Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season and close to foot-perfect on his chasing debut at Punchestown last month, was a 7-4 chance in the hands of Paul Townend.
The big two dominated for much of the two-mile contest, with Ballyburn initially holding sway before De Boinville gave Sir Gino his head and allowed him to stride on racing down the back straight.
Ballyburn did his best to stay in the race, but Sir Gino kept coming out on top in the jumping stakes and found a gear Ballyburn simply could not live with shortly after the home turn.
Sir Gino had the race in safe-keeping provided he safely negotiated the final fence and he did just that to seal a hugely impressive seven-and-a-half-length verdict.
Elsewhere, Val Dancer emerged from the gloom to claim the Coral Welsh Grand National, clinging on gamely to thwart Sam Thomas’ two-pronged attack at Chepstow.
Trained by Mel Rowley, the 8-1 winner tuned up for this marathon assignment with a victorious return at Carlisle last month and was among those to keep tabs on early leader Amateur in the early exchanges.
Fancied runners, Dan Skelton’s Galia Des Liteaux and Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s pair Iron Bridge and Monbeg Genius crept into contention as the runners made their way down the back for the second time, as plenty remained in the hunt as the runners went out of sight at the most distant part of the course.
However, with fog making visibility tricky, it was Val Dancer who had taken up the running as the runners came back into full view with five fences to jump, the seven-year-old having Sam Thomas’ 2021 winner Iwilldoit for company.
Val Dancer and Iwilldoit engaged in a ding-dong battle up the long, stamina-sapping Chepstow straight and although Iwilldoit’s challenge began to falter in the closing stages, his stablemate, the 6-1 joint-favourite Jubilee Express, took over the mantle to push the winner all the way to the line.
Ridden to victory by Charlie Hammond, Val Dancer emerged a length and half clear of Jubilee Express at the finish, with Iwilldoit the same distance back in third. Monbeg Genius was the pick of the O’Neill pair in fourth.
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Henderson wins clash against Mullins with Sir Gino at Kempton
SIR GINO PUT up a scintillating display to see off Ballyburn in a much-anticipated clash for the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park.
For the second time in two days, the Grade Two contest threw up a mouthwatering clash between two superstars from the powerhouse yards of Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins.
And as was the case in the Christmas Hurdle, in which Constitution Hill saw off Lossiemouth, top honours went to Seven Barrows – and in some style, too.
Sir Gino, so impressive when deputising for Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance, was the well-backed 8-13 favourite to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles under Nico de Boinville.
Ballyburn, a triple Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season and close to foot-perfect on his chasing debut at Punchestown last month, was a 7-4 chance in the hands of Paul Townend.
The big two dominated for much of the two-mile contest, with Ballyburn initially holding sway before De Boinville gave Sir Gino his head and allowed him to stride on racing down the back straight.
Ballyburn did his best to stay in the race, but Sir Gino kept coming out on top in the jumping stakes and found a gear Ballyburn simply could not live with shortly after the home turn.
Sir Gino had the race in safe-keeping provided he safely negotiated the final fence and he did just that to seal a hugely impressive seven-and-a-half-length verdict.
Elsewhere, Val Dancer emerged from the gloom to claim the Coral Welsh Grand National, clinging on gamely to thwart Sam Thomas’ two-pronged attack at Chepstow.
Trained by Mel Rowley, the 8-1 winner tuned up for this marathon assignment with a victorious return at Carlisle last month and was among those to keep tabs on early leader Amateur in the early exchanges.
Fancied runners, Dan Skelton’s Galia Des Liteaux and Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s pair Iron Bridge and Monbeg Genius crept into contention as the runners made their way down the back for the second time, as plenty remained in the hunt as the runners went out of sight at the most distant part of the course.
However, with fog making visibility tricky, it was Val Dancer who had taken up the running as the runners came back into full view with five fences to jump, the seven-year-old having Sam Thomas’ 2021 winner Iwilldoit for company.
Val Dancer and Iwilldoit engaged in a ding-dong battle up the long, stamina-sapping Chepstow straight and although Iwilldoit’s challenge began to falter in the closing stages, his stablemate, the 6-1 joint-favourite Jubilee Express, took over the mantle to push the winner all the way to the line.
Ridden to victory by Charlie Hammond, Val Dancer emerged a length and half clear of Jubilee Express at the finish, with Iwilldoit the same distance back in third. Monbeg Genius was the pick of the O’Neill pair in fourth.
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Kempton Nicky Henderson Racing Willie Mullins