Sir Gino, Lossiemouth, The New Lion and Constitution Hill are among 16 entries for the Unibet Champion Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino heads the ante-post market having made a successful return to action from a year off in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

He has usurped his stablemate Constitution Hill as Seven Barrows’ main hope for the race. The 2023 champion has failed to complete in three of his last four races and looks set to have a run on the all-weather at Southwell before a potential bid to reclaim his crown.

The New Lion, winner of the Turners at the meeting last March, is next in the betting for Dan Skelton but he was another to fall in the Fighting Fifth on his return to action, just like Constitution Hill. He is on course for a clash with Sir Gino in the International Hurdle on Trials day.

Lossiemouth is Willie Mullins’ number one this season in the absence of State Man but whether she runs in the Champion or defends her Mares’ Hurdle crown will no doubt be a debate that dominates the build up to the meeting.

Last year’s champion Golden Ace is entered in the same two races but her trainer Jeremy Scott has stated the Mares’ Hurdle is just a contingency at this stage. Scott said: “Golden Ace will have an entry in the Champion Hurdle and the Mares’ Hurdle but only because the Mares’ Hurdle is later and if for any reason we can’t go on the Tuesday, we can go on the Thursday. The main aim at the moment is to go in the Champion Hurdle again.

“She came out of Kempton really well (when second to Sir Gino in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day). We had decided before Kempton that we would run her there and then give her a break. We could possibly go for the Kingwell (at Wincanton on February 14th) or go straight for the Champion Hurdle, whichever we feel she is ready for.

“Good to Soft or Soft ground is perfect for us. Good ground around a fast track like Kempton didn’t seem to suit her, which is why I was so delighted with how she ran there.

“Sir Gino looks very impressive and if he turns up in the Champion Hurdle having won the Christmas Hurdle and possibly the International Hurdle as well, he is going to be very hard to beat.

“We don’t feel pressure, mainly because everybody thought last year was a bit of a fluke. I am not worried about it and we have proved we are worthy to take our place in the race, but we have to prove we are better than the likes of Sir Gino and Lossiemouth if she runs. We look forward to it and keep our fingers crossed that everything goes OK.”

Brighterdaysahead, Alexei, El Fabiolo and Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros are among the others engaged.

£450,000 Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y

4.00pm, Tuesday March 10th

Alexei (GER) 6 Brocade Racing Joe Tizzard

Anzadam (FR) 6 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Ballyburn (IRE) 8 R.A.Bartlett/David Manasseh W. P. Mullins Ireland

Brighterdaysahead (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Casheldale Lad (IRE) 6 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Constitution Hill 9 Mr Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson

El Fabiolo (FR) 9 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Golden Ace 8 Mr I. F. Gosden Jeremy Scott

Lossiemouth (FR) 7 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Lucky Place (FR) 7 Mrs G. Van Geest & Mr M. George Nicky Henderson

Nemean Lion (GER) 9 Mr Will Roseff Kerry Lee

Poniros 5 Tony Bloom W. P. Mullins Ireland

Sir Gino (FR) 6 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson

The New Lion 7 Mr John P. McManus Dan Skelton

Wilful (IRE) 7 Mrs Fitri Hay Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

Workahead (IRE) 8 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead Ireland

16 entries

8 Irish-trained

There are a total of 25 in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, with Wodhooh, Jade De Grugy, Kargese and Take No Chances possible opponents to the star mares should they opt for the mares’ race.

On the same Thursday afternoon as the Mares’ Hurdle is the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for which 29 were entered. Among them are previous winner Bob Olinger and Teahupoo who are both owned by Brian Acheson’s Robcour operation, and Gavin Cromwell’s FLooring Porter, a dual winner of the race who has not run since winning the Kerry National in September 2024. Ballyburn, Doddiethegreat, Impose Toi, Hewick, Honesty Policy, Wodhooh and Kabral Du Mathan also catch the eye.

£125,000 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f 56y

2.40pm, Thursday March 12th

Baby Kate (IRE) 7 Gorm Agus Ban Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

Brighterdaysahead (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Dream On Baby (IRE) 6 Seven Heads Group Syndicate Emmet Mullins Ireland

Feet of A Dancer (FR) 7 Cathy Byrne Paul Nolan Ireland

Golden Ace 8 Mr I. F. Gosden Jeremy Scott

Jade de Grugy (FR) 7 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins Ireland

Jetara (IRE) 8 Mr G. McGrath Mrs J. Harrington Ireland

Jubilee Alpha (IRE) 7 The Pendil Partnership Paul Nicholls

Kargese (FR) 6 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins Ireland

Kateira 9 Mr Stephen Bough & Dan Skelton Dan Skelton

La Pinsonniere (FR) 6 Dash Grange Stud Nicky Henderson

Lavida Adiva (IRE) 7 Drew & Ailsa Russell Ruth Jefferson

Let It Rain 7 Mr Christopher Greenall Dan Skelton

Listentoyourheart (IRE) 7 S T Racing - The Founders' Syndicate Dan Skelton

Lossiemouth (FR) 7 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Murcia (FR) 5 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins Ireland

Nurse Susan (FR) 9 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton

Park Princess (IRE) 6 Peter Jones and Diana Goodall Anthony Honeyball

Siog Geal (IRE) 7 The Good Stock Syndicate Fergal O'Brien

Sotchi (FR) 8 Mr J. Grassick James Grassick France

Sunset Marquesa (IRE) 7 The Wychwood Partnership Joe Tizzard

Supreme Malinas (IRE) 6 Mr Garry Wilson Dan Skelton

Take No Chances (IRE) 8 Mr Garry Wilson Dan Skelton

That'll Do Moss 7 Deva Racing TDM Fergal O'Brien

Wodhooh (FR) 6 The Sundowners Partnership Gordon Elliott Ireland

25 entries

10 Irish-trained

1 French-trained

£325,000 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y

3.20pm, Thursday March 12th

Ahoy Senor (IRE) 11 Wymer & Russell Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Ballyburn (IRE) 8 R.A.Bartlett/David Manasseh W. P. Mullins Ireland

Bob Olinger (IRE) 11 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Buddy One (IRE) 9 E. Lynch/T.C.Quinn/John J. McGrath Paul John Gilligan Ireland

Doddiethegreat (IRE) 10 Mr K. Alexander Nicky Henderson

Flooring Porter (IRE) 11 Flooring Porter Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Franciscan Rock (IRE) 9 Michael O'Flynn/John F O'Flynn M. F. Morris Ireland

French Ship 6 Wayne Clifford & Ian Gosden Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Gowel Road (IRE) 10 Options O Syndicate Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Gwennie May Boy (IRE) 8 Ms Gwendoline M Clarke Olly Murphy

Hewick (IRE) 11 Mr T. J. McDonald John Joseph Hanlon Ireland

Hiddenvalley Lake (IRE) 9 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Home By The Lee (IRE) 11 Mr Sean O'Driscoll Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Honesty Policy (IRE) 6 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott Ireland

Iberico Lord (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Impose Toi (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Kabral du Mathan (FR) 6 Neil Smith & Alfie Smith Dan Skelton

Ma Shantou (IRE) 7 Mighty Acorn Stables Emma Lavelle

Mystical Power (IRE) 7 J. P. McManus/Mrs.J Magnier/Mrs S Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

North Lodge (IRE) 9 McNeill Family & Exors of Late N Farrell Alan King

Potters Charm (IRE) 7 El Rincon Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Strong Leader 9 Welfordgolf syndicate Olly Murphy

Teahupoo (FR) 9 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Theleme (FR) 9 JDG Bloodstock Services A. Chaille-Chaille & F. Pamart France

The Yellow Clay (IRE) 7 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Feet of A Dancer (FR) 7 Cathy Byrne Paul Nolan Ireland

Lavida Adiva (IRE) 7 Drew & Ailsa Russell Ruth Jefferson

Nurse Susan (FR) 9 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton

Wodhooh (FR) 6 The Sundowners Partnership Gordon Elliott Ireland

29 entries

14 Irish-trained

1 French-trained