<< <

26th Dec 2025 – Kempton 13:55:00

> >>

Race Shape & Context

• New course record, run 2.21s faster than standard.
• Strong early tempo with Sir Gino keen but controlled.
• Kempton rewarded speed, accuracy, and class — anything half a stride off the pace was cooked by 3 out.

This was not a muddling Grade 1. It asked real questions.

---

Winner: Sir Gino (4/7F)

RPR 163 | TS 150 | OR 163

This was elite.

• Market: Slam-dunk favourite, rock solid throughout.
• Run style: Keen early, pressed, took over at the 3rd and simply put the race to bed.
• Jumping: Slight error at the 4th and it still didn’t matter — that tells you the margin of superiority.
• Figures: RPR and OR both 163, TS a huge 150 in a fast-run 2m Grade 1.

Once Nico asked him to stretch, the others were instantly in damage limitation mode. The six-length winning margin actually undersells how dominant this was — he eased late and still broke the record.

Verdict: This was Champion Hurdle standard. On this evidence, he’s the one they all have to beat if he stays hurdling.

---

2nd: Golden Ace (5/1)

RPR 147 | TS 136 | OR 152

A very solid run, but firmly second-best.

• Market: Well-supported, ran to it without exceeding it.
• Run style: Tracked Sir Gino, jumped soundly, kept on honestly.
• Reality: Never looked like landing a blow once the winner quickened.

Her RPR is respectable in isolation, but the gap — visually and on the clock — was wide. She ran her race; Sir Gino ran his.

Verdict: Genuine Grade 1 mare, but this exposed the ceiling against top-class males at championship pace.

---

3rd: Rubaud (16/1)

RPR 150 | TS 139 | OR 149

Probably the best run at the price.

• Market: Dismissed beforehand.
• Run style: Led briefly, then settled into third and stuck on.
• Finish: No extra late, but wasn’t disgraced.

The RPR of 150 is a strong number in this company and backs up that he still belongs at Grade 1 level, even if winning one requires things to fall his way.

Verdict: Creditable, honest, and ran to form. Still a high-end supporting act.

---

4th: Celtic Dino (4/1)

RPR 148 | TS 138 | OR 147

This was disappointing relative to expectations.

• Market: Second favourite, drifted late.
• Run style: Travelled okay, but outpaced from 3 out.
• Key issue: Lacked the speed change when the taps were turned on.

The figures say he ran close to his mark, but this race showed he’s better suited to a more stamina-based test or a less ferocious gallop.

Verdict: Grade 1 horse, just not a Kempton two-miler at this tempo.

---

The Others

Tripoli Flyer (28/1)

RPR 141 | TS 129

• Never involved.
• Ran roughly to expectations given the level.

Verdict: Good horse, wrong race.

Give It To Me Oj (50/1)

RPR 137 | TS 124

• Keen early, detached quickly.
• Completely outclassed.

Verdict: This was a bridge too far at this stage.

---

Overall Race Verdict

• Top-class Grade 1 backed up by time, visuals, and figures.
• Sir Gino produced a performance that stands up historically — not just contextually.
• The rest ran honest races but were exposed once championship speed was required.

Bottom line:
This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Sir Gino turned a strong Christmas Hurdle into a procession and laid down a serious marker for the spring.