Sir Gino, who had not been seen on a racecourse since making a winning chase debut at Kempton Park on December 27th last year, made a stunning return to action with victory in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park.

Now unbeaten in seven career starts, the five-year-old It’s Gino gelding went to the front at the third flight and was never in any real trouble thereafter. The Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned runner quickened clear approaching the final flight in the two-mile contest to come six lengths to the good over 2025 Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace.

Winning trainer Nicky Henderson said: “I think the horse is happy, and we all are. It has been a tough old year and there were bits in the middle that were pretty worrying, but everybody has done just a brilliant job. He had a huge team working on him and everyone has done their little bit.

“To be fair we have had a very comfortable and uninterrupted preparation. There have been no re-ocurrences (of the setback) and touchwood, which I can’t right here, but it shouldn’t re-occur. You wouldn’t normally ride him that way as he has got so much speed, but he really is a very quick horse. He doesn’t do anything like that at home. He just enjoyed himself out there.

“That is a very good horse, he has got so much speed. It is extraordinary you have got one after another and it is like when Buveur D’Air, Epatante and Binocular all came along and the bus is still rolling in which is lovely.

“I was nervous when I saw him pull as hard as that as that wasn’t in his vocabulary or our plan. You thought you would just settle him in and follow them around and have a crack maybe between the last two, but he still quickened up very well turning in.

“He is happy to be back, and we are all mighty relieved to see him back. He is seriously good, it is frightening.

“We will not say we will do this now, let’s see how we are tomorrow and let’s see how the lie of the land is like. There are two obvious ways, the Champion Hurdle or the Champion Chase. It is a matter of which one.

“I asked Joe (Donnelly, owner) coming out, and he said it is your problem, but it is not a problem, it is a high-class problem. I really don’t know.

“It seems a shame to throw away chases, but the Champion Hurdle picture might be unclear. We don’t know what we are doing with Constitution Hill yet. We are just ticking time until something happens. It wouldn’t be hard to see this horse in a Champion Hurdle.

“I think you can afford to have a season over hurdles, but I don’t really know. You can’t help but say let’s look at the two big pictures and see what is in them.

“As far as the Champion Hurdle is concerned we know from the Donnellys point of view that State Man isn’t there. Constitution Hill is still in all the pictures, but we have got to decide what to do, but at the same time you can’t think at the same time this has an outstanding chance of winning the Champion Hurdle.”

Nico de Boinville added: “It’s been such a long, hard road for him. All credit to all the staff at Seven Barrows and everyone at Donnington Grove Vets because they pulled him back from the brink.

“We are so lucky to have this horse back on track. It’s been 364 days since he last ran and I am just delighted for him and his owners who have been such fantastic supporters of all of us.

“Most importantly, thanks to the Guvnor – what a magnificent job he has done.”

Trainer Jeremy Scott said of runner-up Golden Ace: “She has run a brilliant race considering everything was wrong for her. It was quick ground, and a fast flat track, so I thought we were a bit up against it, but I wanted to run because I probably now won’t run her until Cheltenham all being well.

“That will give us a chance to back off her and let her fill up again and let her have a go. I’m delighted with her.

“Sir Gino was awesome today and it was a hell of a training performance. She is not a million miles off them and when things weren’t going her way I thought that made it even more impressive.

“It wasn’t like she was off her legs, she just hasn’t got that turn off foot at the end of the race, so I think to do what she has done today is brilliant.”