Henderson confirms Sir Gino for Champion Hurdle tilt

The five-year-old could now follow the same route Constitution Hill took last season, with a dress rehearsal at Cheltenham on Trials day seen as the only suitable option before the Festival itself.

BACK WITH A BANG: Sir Gino and Nico de Boinville en route to winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on St Stephen's Day. Picture: Healy Racing

It will be the "Unibet Hurdle or nothing" for Sir Gino, as Nicky Henderson confirmed his Christmas Hurdle hero is on course to represent Seven Barrows in the Champion Hurdle.

No man has won the Cheltenham Festival's opening day feature more than Henderson who will be looking for a record-extending 10th success in the race in March.