Sir Gino 'will have to stand up and be counted' says Nicky Henderson - can he put an end to the yard's poor run?

Sir Gino was many people’s banker at the Cheltenham Festival in the weeks leading up to the meeting, but that all changed after Constitution Hill’s lacklustre gallop at Kempton, as it became apparent that maybe not all was right with the runners from Nicky Henderson’s yard.

Such was the dire form of the stable, Sir Gino became one of several high-profile names that Henderson scratched from their intended targets, blowing the Triumph Hurdle open.

But maybe a cherry-ripe Sir Gino wouldn't have won the Triumph anyway. That is the theory he could dispel as he returns for his first Grade 1 on just his fourth outing.

There's good reason to believe the theory might be right, though. Sir Gino looked good when bolting up by ten lengths in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham on Trials day, but time has since proved that wasn’t a good race. Look at what those behind have done subsequently.

Third-placed Milan Tino underperformed by 8lb on Racing Post Ratings on his next outing; the fourth was 2lb below his best next time despite winning; and the fifth was 6lb off form. Maybe Sir Gino just looked good beating nothing and Kargese has stronger form claims here.

The Willie Mullins-trained filly is already a Grade 1 winner and she has 4lb in hand of Sir Gino on RPRs at these weights. The 7lb mares’ allowance wasn’t enough for her to beat Majborough in the Triumph at Cheltenham, but she was nearly five lengths clear of the rest.

She's gritty and tough, but Kargese lacks the star quality that Sir Gino possesses and maybe that spark of X factor will be the difference for the favourite. But there is no way there should be such a huge chasm between the two in the overnight betting markets.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

RP Recommends: how to bet on the Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle

By Tom Park, audience editor

Sir Gino is going to take an awful lot of beating here and will be a popular choice in multiples. Betfair are giving customers a free bet to place on a racing multiple (value varies between £1 and £10 depending on customer circumstances), allowing you a free go at accumulating a pot. Sir Gino is one I'd rather have on side in the situation. Sky Bet are offering money back up to £10 if your horse finishes second here, too.

• RP Recommends: Betfair (multiples), Sky Bet (singles)

'Sir Gino has to stand up and be counted'

Nicky Henderson will hope to make up for lost time with notable Cheltenham Festival absentee Sir Gino and believes the short-priced favourite has to "stand up and be counted" at Aintree.

The four-year-old arrives with an unblemished record after following up his 14-length debut victory at Kempton with a comfortable success in the Grade 2 Triumph trial at Cheltenham in February.

Sir Gino: was a comfortable winner at Cheltenham last timeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Had he not been withdrawn during the week of the Cheltenham Festival, Sir Gino would have been sent off a short price for the Triumph, which was won by the Willie Mullins-trained Majborough. 

"The Triumph Hurdle winner isn't there but it's still a strong field and he's going to have to stand up and be counted," said Henderson. "He's been great and by Thursday afternoon we'll know who he is. He went round Auteuil when the ground was heavy and at Cheltenham when it was pretty soft."

What they say

Syd Hosie, trainer of Dirty Den
He ran well and beat some good horses in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He jumps well, has a bit of speed and we were keen to have a go.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Intellotto
Intellotto won well at Limerick last time. The form of that has already worked out well and I'm hoping he can run well in what looks a very hot heat. He'll handle the going, which will be a big help.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Kalif Du Berlais
He's unbeaten and has done nothing wrong. He carried a penalty and still beat them in the Adonis. I don't think we rode him quite right but it didn't do him any harm. He had to dig deep but galloped all the way to the line and stayed on well. This is the best race he's run in, but it looks open and he deserves to be there.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Kargese
Her second to Majborough in the Triumph gives her a really good chance here. I know Sir Gino will be a warm order, but this mare has good Grade 1 form to her name, will handle the ground and I think she has a very good chance. Her mares’ allowance is a nice advantage too.
Reporting by Jonathan Harding

Read our Thursday previews

1.45 Aintree: 'There are no negatives' - Dan Skelton confident of big run from Grey Dawning in Cheltenham rematch with Ginny's Destiny 

2.55 Aintree: Shishkin and Gerri Colombe clash in epic Aintree Bowl - plus Emmet Mullins is seeing 'very good signs' from novice Corbetts Cross 

3.30 Aintree: Irish stars dominate the market but both have questions to answer in intriguing Aintree Hurdle 

4.05 Aintree: 'Going back in trip is interesting' - analysis and key quotes for first look at National course in Foxhunters' Chase 

4.40 Aintree: 'We've aimed him at this all season' - distance questions offer hope to unheralded sorts in the Red Rum 

Four Grade 1s kickstart Aintree's Grand National meeting in style - and it's the moment of truth for Nicky Henderson 

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