Arkle fancy Lalor leading the way for his surprise package sire

For a stallion who has never had a runner at the Cheltenham Festival before, this could be quite a way to introduce yourself.

Lalor, the leading contender for the Racing Post Arkle, is a real trailblazer for the little-known It’s Gino, who is proving as underrated at stud as he was on the track.

The German-bred was a winner of his first seven starts, up to Group 2 level and finished his racing career with a third in Zarkava’s Arc, having been sent off at 150-1. The son of Perugino sired small crops during his time in Germany, but should gain greater prominence following his move to Haras de Rosieres aux Salines, near Nancy in deep north-eastern France, in 2018.

From just a handful of National Hunt runners, he boasts a terrific strike-rate helped largely by Lalor and Gary Moore’s prolific Darebin. Four-year-old son Floating Rock also made a winning bumper debut for Tom Lacey at Catterick last month.

Lalor has already proved to be quite a bargain - going for €7,500 as a yearling at BBAG and then €16,000 as a store at Tattersalls Ireland’s Derby sale to Tom Malone two years later. The agent kept him for a few months before a private transfer to the Woollacott stable, where he has flourished ever since.

It’s Gino’s numbers increased markedly to 102 mare in France last year and more breeders should be keen to avail themselves at €3,000 should his young chasing hope come good on Tuesday.

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