Sir Gino on course for Kempton clash with Ballyburn over fences

Nicky Henderson feels that if Sir Gino is going to lose his novice tag over fences, then he may as well do it in a worthwhile race.

The Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner has been entered to make his chasing debut in the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Friday.

He is also in the Christmas Hurdle, along with stablemate Constitution Hill, but it is Henderson’s stated preference to run the former champion if everything is in order – which it still is after working on Saturday morning.

In an ideal world, Henderson would have no qualms letting Sir Gino make his chasing debut in the Wayward Lad, despite its Grade Two status, but there is the possibility of coming up against Willie Mullins’ hugely exciting Ballyburn, who has also been entered at Kempton.

Adding to the fun is that Ballyburn is owned by Ronnie Bartlett, who also has horses in training with Henderson.

“I’m going to have a chat with my friend Ronnie tonight. I hope he’s still my friend!” joked Henderson.

“All being well – and everything is currently, everybody was happy this morning with both horses, work was great (they both run).

“If Gino is going to lose his maiden over fences, it’s got to be worthwhile, otherwise he’d be better off as a novice next year.

“We’ve got to see where we are, he’s won a Grade One hurdle already this year, so I’ve got to get him to Kempton and that’s it, then we’ll find out.”

Ballyburn does have a Christmas option at Limerick but speaking at Thurles after Blue Velvet won the bumper, Mullins pointed towards a trip to England.

He said: “Ballyburn is in both Kempton and Limerick but it looks like Kempton for him.

“Hopefully there’ll be nice ground there, it suits time-wise and we might have three horses – Impaire Et Passe, Mirazur West and Sa Majeste – for the Limerick race.”

Mullins added on some of his other stars: “Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs are both well and fine, and both worked this morning. Both are on course to run in the Savills, while State Man is in good order and runs in the Matheson.”

Also in the Wayward Lad are Brookie, Home Free, Hypotenus and the Paul Nicholls duo Kalif Du Berlais and Rubaud.

Alan King’s Edwardstone is one of nine entries in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase.

With no Jonbon to worry about this time, his main danger appears to be Harry Fry’s Boothill.

Editeur Du Gite, Martator and Calico are also in the mix.