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Cheltenham Festival star names set to assemble for Champion Hurdle

STAR names Sir Gino, Lossiemouth, The New Lion and Constitution Hill are among 16 entries for the Unibet Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

[Constitution Hill ]

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Constitution Hill (Image: PA)

STAR names Sir Gino, Lossiemouth, The New Lion and Constitution Hill are among 16 entries for the Unibet Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Hendersons Sir Gino heads the ante-post market having made a successful return to action from a year off in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

He has usurped his stablemate Constitution Hill as Seven Barrows main hope for the race. The 2023 champion has failed to complete in three of his last four races and looks set to have a run on the all-weather at Southwell before a potential bid to reclaim his crown.

The New Lion, winner of the Turners at the meeting last March, is next in the betting for Dan Skelton but he was another to fall in the Fighting Fifth on his return to action, just like Constitution Hill. He is on course for a clash with Sir Gino in the International Hurdle on Trials day.

Lossiemouth is Willie Mullins number one this season in the absence of State Man but whether she runs in the Champion or defends her Mares Hurdle crown will no doubt be a debate that dominates the build up to the meeting.

Last years champion Golden Ace is entered in the same two races but her trainer Jeremy Scott has stated the Mares Hurdle is just a contingency at this stage.

He said Shes been entered in the Mares Hurdle as well because if for any reason we get a knock or whatever and she cant go on the Tuesday then she could go on the Thursday, but the main aim is the Champion.

Shes come out of Kempton really well and we decided before then that shed run there and have a break before possibly coming back for the Kingwell or go straight to the Champion Hurdle.

Good to soft or soft would be perfect for us. We certainly didnt need good ground around such a fast track like Kempton which is why I was so delighted with the way she ran. Neither track or ground was ideal.

Sir Gino looks very impressive, if he turns up having had that run and maybe another, hes going to be very hard to beat.

We dont feel pressure, mainly because everyone thought last year was a fluke but weve proved we are worthy of our place, weve now got to prove we are better than the likes of Sir Gino and Lossiemouth if she runs so well look forward to it.

Brighterdaysahead, Alexei, El Fabiolo and Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros are among the others engaged.

There are a total of 25 in the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle, with Wodhooh, Jade De Grugy, Kargese and Take No Chances possible opponents to the star mares should they opt for the mares race.

On the same Thursday afternoon as the Mares Hurdle is the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle for which 29 were entered.

Among them are previous winner Bob Olinger and Teahupoo who are both owned by Brian Achesons Robcour operation, and Gavin Cromwells Flooring Porter, a dual winner of the race who has not run since winning the Kerry National in September 2024.

Ballyburn, Doddiethegreat, Impose Toi, Hewick, Honesty Policy, Wodhooh and Kabral Du Mathan also catch the eye.

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