Expert Analysis

A race that delivered a real “wow!” performance as Sir Gino romped to victory on what was his chasing debut, backed up by a good time (worth around 160 on a 1-on-1 comparison with Soul Icon) and with good splits throughout, with the fact that he received an overly-generous age allowance immaterial on the day. His final 4f of 55.68s on good to soft going translates to a 103.6% finishing speed.

SIR GINO (c165+ here, unraced chases previously) was sent down the chasing path when Champion Hurdle aspirations looked very much alive and proved a sensation from the off, making a mistake at the 1st but near faultless thereafter, a bit wide and keeping close tabs on Ballyburn, going with zest, jumping back into the lead 5 out then quickening away 3 out, able to coast on the run-in. This was as impressive a chasing debut as you are likely to see, backed up to a large degree by the numbers, and puts him top of the novice chasers by fully 9 lb from Majborough already.

BALLYBURN (c154 here, 146+ previously) looked highly promising himself but was well and truly put in his place by a real talent in Sir Gino, setting a good pace but pestered by his rival at various stages, headed again 5 out then comprehensively outpaced from the third-last, jumping left at the next and blundering at the last. He should be more at home back at round 20f or on much deeper ground, and should pose more problems for others in this division than he was able to do to Sir Gino here.

BROOKIE (c118 here, 130 previously) was soon outpaced and completed in his own time.

RUBAUD (c125+ here, unraced chases previously) seemed to take well to this to begin with, close up and jumping OK, but was outpaced from halfway and 20 to 25 lengths down on Ballyburn when falling at the last. He should make an impact at a lesser level if all is well.