Nick Henderson has not ruled out the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day as a comeback point for Sir Gino.
The undefeated five-year-old stepped in to fill the role of super-sub in last season’s Fighting Fifth in Constitution Hill’s absence.
With his prized stablemate’s latest mistake in Newcastle, Henderson now has an opening in his team and having already considered going to the meeting on his return from injury – albeit over fences – the race has now become a possibility.
Asked if the Christmas Hurdle was a possible destination for Sir Gino, Henderson told the Nick Luck Daily podcast: “It occurred to us this weekend. I need a race for him around Christmas and I was thinking about the Desert Orchid Chase.”
“We’re not setting any targets for Sir Gino, but purely because I don’t want to have a deadline that puts us at target, let’s just tell him when he’s ready, rather than forcing him.
“I won’t deny that it occurs to us that the obvious race to start him at Christmas would be the Christmas Hurdle and if that were the case then it’s possible, he’s no longer a novice at fences.
“It seems like when you go through the two-mile route you’re looking at Clarence House and the Champion Chase, which is one way, but on the other hand it would be a shame if you went the other way (hurdles) because he’s such a great jumper. It’s an idea, a possibility, but no more.”
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