Sir Gino lands big win at Kempton for Joe and Marie Donnelly

There was another notable Cork success at Kempton Park when popular Cork owners Joe and Marie Donnelly landed the featured Grade 2 £75,000 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novice Chase with Sir Gino. 

He confirmed his status as undoubtedly the most exciting prospect in National Hunt Racing as Lisgoold jockey Paul Townend had to settle for second place on Ballyburn who was beaten seven and a half lengths by Nicky Henderson’s latest superstar. 

The Donnellys will hope to complete a memorable Christmas with State Man in Sunday's featured Grade One hurdle at Leopardstown.

Sir Gino made the perfect start to his chasing career with a spectacular victory in the Grade 2 £75,000 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton this afternoon. This was a rare pre-Cheltenham treat for racegoers with the top two in the Arkle Chase market crossing swords earlier than anticipated.

Ballyburn, a triple Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season, didn't impress everyone on his chasing debut at Punchestown last month. He was relatively easy to back and went to post a 7-4 chance in the hands of Paul Townend.

Sir Gino was all the rage in the market and went off the well-backed 8/13 favourite.

The big two dominated for much of the two-mile contest, with Ballyburn initially setting the fractions.

However once the Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner joined his market rival Ballyburn at the head of affairs, you sensed there was only going to be one winner. He always looked to be going better than the Irish raider and was noticeably slicker and quicker away from his fences. 

He began to assert between the last two and cruised clear. Nico De Boinville had the luxury of easing Sir Gino right down to win by seven and a half lengths. Paul Townend did remarkably well to stay upright on Ballyburn who made a howler at the last.

Bookmakers were suitably impressed Paddy Power trimmed the winner to even-money for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham in March. Sky Bet went 11/10. 

Afterwards, the statistics around his performance were equally impressive. Sir Gino gained 9.95 lengths jumping and gained 14.49 lengths in the jumping stakes on market rival Ballyburn. He also jumped best at seven of the twelve fences, a remarkable trait for a horse making his chasing debut.

DEEP

The Donnellys have an embarrassment of equine riches just now. Anzadam looks like another smart French recruit for them. He recorded an impressive Irish debut success in the Grade 3 WillowWarm Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month.

The Authorized gelding won twice in France before being purchased on behalf of the Donnellys. 

They have another exciting French import Kitzbuhel who made a successful Irish debut at Punchestown recently. He'd won at Fontainebleau and he beat 146-rated Colonel Mustard who finished third in the 2022 Champion Hurdle. Kitzbuhel is due to run at Punchestown on New Year's Eve.