Fighting Fifth super-sub Sir Gino powers to Newcastle glory

In a race that was always the intended starting point for his superstar stablemate Constitution Hill before he met with a setback, Sir Gino stepped up to perform super-sub duties for the Seven Barrows yard.

The unbeaten four-year-old had been earmarked to go novice chasing – and the way he jumped two from home suggests that will be right up his street.

However, always galloping all over his rivals up the straight, he ran right away from the rest after the last, with Nico de Boinville giving a triumphant salute abord the 6-5 joint-favourite at the line.

Market rival Mystical Power was a big disappointment, with Mark Walsh sending out distress signals after the fourth-last aboard Willie Mullins’ five-year-old.

De Boinville was understandably suitably impressed.

He said: “First of all I’d like to thank the racecourse for the effort they made with the ground, they got it right so well played.

“He was fresh enough early doors and he jumped great. He just missed one going down the side, but that was only after I pulled him out wide in fairness. After that he seemed to learn a bit.

“He pinged all of them up the straight and he finished off well.

“I’ve got really swept up in the atmosphere here, it’s great, I’ve never had a reception like that anywhere else.

“He’s a very talented horse and we’ve always known that. To come and do it like that is impressive.

“I thought we went a nice even gallop all the way and his only semblance of a mistake was when I pulled him wide, but that was because I didn’t want to get hemmed in down the rail.

“You could see why we think he’s going to be a chaser, he’s got scope to burn.”

Speaking at Newbury, Henderson told ITV Racing: “He’s very, very good – we’ve always believed it. He has got to prove it, and I think he’s taken another step in the right direction, but he’s a seriously talented horse.

“It’s a relief because we’ve probably been vociferous in our opinion, but they’ve got to go and do it. If you think he’s good, he’s got to go and do it.”

Asked whether Sir Gino could still switch to chasing, he added: “He’s so good at it. You haven’t seen a horse over fences like that. It’s unbelievable. We’ve been lucky to have quite a few good two-milers and he’s as good as I’ve seen.

“We’ll see how things pan out. We’re not going to go into the Constitution Hill situation here and now because it’s pointless – he’s fine, we’ll leave it at that, absolutely fine.

“But we’ve got a conundrum to come. There’s the Christmas Hurdle and don’t forget Joe (Donnelly) owns State Man as well, so we’ve got to try to play the cards to suit his game as well.

“That (race) would sort of say do you really need to be going chasing this year, I have to admit.”