Sir Gino looks something special

Similar to the Christmas Hurdle twenty fours earlier, the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton on Friday saw a match up between two superstars trained by Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins. Once again, it was the former who came out on top with Sir Gino producing a spectacular chasing debut. The Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner travelled powerfully throughout with his electric jumping taking him to the front early in the backstraight. Reined back by Nico De Boinville, the four year old jumped to the front again at the fifth last and soon asserted his authority. Pulling clear in the homestraight, he trounced Ballyburn by seven and a half lengths with Willie Mullins' runner-up looking ill at ease over a sharp two miles. The race very much reminded me of when Sprinter Sacre did a similar job on Peddlers Cross in the same event thirteen years ago. Sir Gino is likely to have one more run before the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham - one would imagine he will have his prep in either the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury or Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick, both of which are on Saturday 8th February. The It's Gino gelding will take some stopping in March and is a fantastic young prospect. With Majborough waiting in the wings, the four year old's look set to dominate the two mile novice chase division. 

Val Dancer provided Mel Rowley with her biggest training success in the Welsh National at Chepstow. The former Irish pointer has proved a revelation since sent chasing and was registering his fifth win from eight starts over the larger obstacles. Successful in the Cumberland Handicap Chase at Carlisle on his reappearance in early November, he was raised five pounds and kept back for this. A length and a half winner from the Sam Thomas trained pair Jubilee Express and Iwilldoit, he is only seven and is open to further improvement. As regards the selections in the Christmas Special, Monbeg Genius ran creditably in fourth off a big weight and there were no excuses. Where It All Began appeared to be struggling halfway down the backstraight on the final circuit before making relentless progress - from what we could see in the fog - and coming to challenge before the fourth last. However, a mistake there stopped Gordon Elliott's runner in his tracks and it knocked the stuffing out of him. 

Regardless of the outcome, what was to be gained by the meeting at Chepstow going ahead? The whole meeting was run in thick fog, which is nobody's fault, but who benefited from it? Racegoers couldn't see anything and similarly those watching at home. Why not abandon it and restage at a later date, as in previous years. The Festive period is one of the most exciting times of the whole season and the fog has spoilt it over the last couple of years - most of the racing at Leopardstown on Thursday and Friday has been run in similar conditions. Talking of the Dublin track, Will Do (advised @ 14/1) ran a cracker in the Paddy Power Chase given his lack of chasing experience. Gordon Elliott's runner was running over fences for only the fourth time and was given an excellent ride by Sam Ewing. For a few moments approaching the final fence, I thought we were in business until the Gigginstown House owned runner faded on the run-in before finishing fifth. Nevertheless, it was still a very good effort and provided us with a run for our money

Bioluminescence (4/5) provided the Christmas Special with a winner at Limerick. A big strong powerful mare belonging to J.P.McManus, she made a smooth transition to fences winning the Grade 2 Mares' Novice Chase by three lengths. Partnered by Derek O'Connor, the daughter of Walk In The Park jumped superbly and always looked in control. She will be even more at home in softer conditions and it wouldn't be a surprise to see her taking on the geldings over fences one day. Gavin Cromwell's mare is very much one to follow over fences.

It proved a tough afternoon at the office for Willie Mullins with only one winner from 32 runners. To compound matters, Ireland's champion trainer lost It's For Me who was pulled up during the early stages on his chasing debut in the beginners chase at Leopardstown. Expect the Closutton outfit to bounce back over the next couple of days.