He is one of the most fancied horses at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
Sir Gino will take five on older rivals as he steps into open company for the first time over fences in the Grade Two William Hill Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday. Nicky Henderson ’s unbeaten six-year-old was a dual Grade One winner over hurdles after adding November’s Fighting Fifth success at Newcastle to last season’s Aintree juvenile victory.
He then made a sensational debut over bigger obstacles when brushing aside Ballyburn in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas. However, the hot favourite for Arkle glory at Cheltenham will face a stiff test at Newbury, with the opposition headed by Alan King’s veteran Edwardstone, who made all to win unchallenged in this contest 12 months ago. Matata goes into the extended two-mile event on the back of a 10-length triumph under 12st in a competitive Windsor handicap, while Libberty Hunter was another who scored last time out at Cheltenham. Sign up for our Cheltenham Festival news service on WhatsApp Click on this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest Cheltenham Festival news and top stories from the Irish Mirror direct to your phone on WhatsApp. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. JPR One brings elite-level form to the table after finishing third behind Sir Gino’s stablemate Jonbon in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, where the reopposing Master Chewy and Edwardstone both fell. Djelo sidesteps the Game Spirit in favour of the William Hill Bet10 Get10 On Racing Denman Chase over just short of three miles. The Venetia Williams-trained seven-year-old struck at the same Grade Two level in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon when beating Protektorat, but was well behind the same opponent in Windsor’s Fleur de Lys. Paul Nicholls has claimed the race named after his former Gold Cup hero a record 10 times and will be doubly represented this term through Bravemansgame and Hitman. Colin Tizzard saddled Native River to three Denman Chase wins before also prevailing in 2022 with Eldorado Allen, who is back for another crack at the age of 11, now under the care of Tizzard’s son Joe.The William Hill Handicap Hurdle, which carries £155,000 in prize-money and is worth over £87,000 to the winner, has attracted a field of 18 runners, headed by top-weight Lump Sum. Hughie Morrison’s stunning chestnut Secret Squirrel has been among the market leaders ever since obliging at Windsor last month. Henderson will be represented by last year’s victor Iberico Lord and well-backed lightweight Joyeuse, who will be the mount of Nico de Boinville. Chris Gordon’s Aucunrisque is another past winner back for another attempt at landing Europe’s richest handicap hurdle.
Please follow us on Google to support us Cheltenham Festival Cheltenham Festival Nicky Henderson
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
French Recruit Lulamba Favoured for Triumph HurdleFrench horse Lulamba, recently purchased by Joe Donnelly and trained by Nicky Henderson, has seen his odds drastically reduced for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Read more »
Nicky Henderson sets himself up for Cheltenham festival resurgence with latest big-race successVeteran English trainer aiming to give Constitution Hill pre-festival spin at Prestbury Park this weekend
Read more »
Geri Horner and Christian Horner's Horse Wins at Warwick, Eyes Set on Cheltenham FestivalFormer Spice Girl Geri Horner and her husband Christian, the boss of Red Bull Formula 1 team, are dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory after their horse Lift Me Up won at Warwick. The victory sets the stage for a potential run in the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Read more »
What time is Palladium running at today? World record buy to make hurdles debutNicky Henderson's world record purchase runs at Huntingdon
Read more »
Nicky Henderson resurgence is good news for cross-channel racing and the Cheltenham Festival overallVeteran English trainer’s run of success has helped give British jump racing some much-needed pep in its step
Read more »
Constitution Hill survives scare at the last in another dominant display at CheltenhamNicky Henderson’s stable star paddled through the final obstacle during Festival Trials day
Read more »