Nicky Henderson boasts a strong hand for the upcoming Festival, with Sir Gino emerging as a standout contender.
Standing out from Henderson's usual juvenile hurdler mould, the imposing four-year-old's impressive form has prompted his trainer to follow a well-trodden path.
Upon his arrival from France, Sir Gino's distinctive qualities hinted at his exceptional potential, though initial perceptions pegged him as a long-term prospect due to his size and build. His debut victory at Kempton validated these early inklings of talent, despite some initial concerns over his jumping ability for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Nevertheless, Sir Gino's commanding triumph over the former Triumph favourite, Burdett Road, at Cheltenham unequivocally pointed Henderson in the right direction. Reflecting on Sir Gino's progress, Henderson remarked,
"He’s a lovely big horse. I think we always thought he was very good but didn’t want to get too carried away before we got to see it."
Transitioning to other Festival prospects, Henderson expressed his confidence in Marie's Rock for the Mares' race, highlighting her promising form. Under Control is eyeing the Morebattle, contingent upon ground conditions at Kelso. Jeriko Du Reponet is hopeful for the two-miler, provided owner Ronnie Bartlett accedes to the distance change. Iberico Lord is poised for a potential County run, with Under Control and Impose Toi also in the mix.
While Doddiethegreat faces uncertainty in the Coral Cup entry, novice chasers are notably absent from Henderson's roster this season. In the Pertemps, Henderson fields a quartet comprising Chantry House, Bold Endeavour, Walking On Air, and Mill Green, the latter aiming to improve on past performances. Shanagh Bob's setback over Christmas has been addressed, with the prospect showing signs of improvement in recent schooling sessions.