The Grade 1 Kempton Christmas Hurdle of 2025 doesn’t have three-time winner Constitution Hill or last year’s runner-up Lossiemouth taking part on Boxing Day again. Instead, this latest edition of the two-mile contest sees another Nicky Henderson inmate in Sir Gino make his return to action against race-fit Jeremy Scott mare Golden Ace in a field of six.
Half the runners know what it takes to win over course and distance. It presents a very different test to the Champion Hurdle, however, so punters shouldn’t expect Cheltenham bookies to overreact too much to the result. Sir Gino hasn’t made it to the Festival yet, but his best years may still lie ahead aged five rising six.
Henderson has farmed the Kempton Christmas Hurdle in recent seasons by landing seven of the last eight editions. The master of Seven Barrows boasts 13 wins overall in the contest, including with four different five-year-olds. Sir Gino could become a standing dish here like Constitution Hill, Epatante and Binocular before him.
Unbeaten in two starts at the Sunbury-on-Thames track, he landed the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase in some style on his bow over fences at this meeting 12 months ago. We haven’t seen Sir Gino since due to illness, however, and so he bids to defy a racecourse absence of a year. Henderson has had to shuffle his pack as, in the meantime, Constitution Hill took three falls in his last four starts.
All may fall into place for Sir Gino now as a hurdler, not least because owners Joe & Marie Donnelly are without State Man for the season. He doesn’t just deputise for the yard in Constitution Hill’s absence, then, but for connections in general. Going well fresh and an undefeated record suggests Sir Gino is the one to beat here.
Golden Ace Bids for Third Grade 1 of Calendar Year
Benefitting from two of Constitution Hill’s falls, first in a shock Champion Hurdle result at Cheltenham where State Man took a tumble too, and again up at Newcastle during the Fighting Fifth with The New Lion also departing, was Golden Ace. If ever there was an advert for “you’ve got to be in it to win it”, then this mare is it. Has Scott been lucky with his stable star? You bet, but the hurdles are there to be jumped.
Other big guns haven’t done that, so good on Golden Ace for capitalising on their costly mistakes. The Kempton Christmas Hurdle could suit her, not just because of the 7lb sex allowance either. It’s a flat, tight track and she has three wins on such sharp, right-handed courses in this discipline. Golden Ace is also fully race-fit for a third run of the campaign.
She’s had plenty of luck go her way, of course. Main market rival Sir Gino reverts to hurdles and isn’t alone in that in this line-up. In theory, Golden Ace will probably never have a better opportunity of landing a third Grade 1 to cap a memorable calendar year. Another victory here and Golden Ace’s Cheltenham odds for a successful defence of the Champion Hurdle surely receive further cuts.
The market suggests this is a two-horse race with Sir Gino odds-on and the mare 4lb behind him on adjusted ratings. If there’s another potential improver, then it might be Celtic Dino for smart trainer Sam Thomas. Chepstow could hardly be happier with the return of the Welsh Champion Hurdle from Ffos Las and how that form has been working out with the runner-up and third landing valuable handicaps.
Celtic Dino a Contender in Kempton Christmas Hurdle
Both Alexei (Greatwood Hurdle) and Wilful (Ascot’s Festive Premier Handicap Hurdle best known as the Ladbroke) produced as autumn turned to winter. Celtic Dino defied topweight against both in home turf in Wales and wasn’t disgraced when conceding half-a-stone to Wodhooh in the Ascot Hurdle last time out.
Celtic Dino wins the ‘Welsh Champion’ Hurdle for @SammyTRacing and @D_Johnston01!
The top-weight travelled nicely into contention and found plenty for pressure to hold off Alexei on the run for home at @Chepstow_Racing… pic.twitter.com/sAUNKUgjt2
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 12, 2025
There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that he has improved plenty since finishing third over course and distance to Tripoli Flyer in last season’s Dovecote. Celtic Dino is a whole stone better now, according to the official BHA handicapper. As for the Fergal O’Brien runner, he didn’t respect his hurdles and hasn’t taken to fences.
First-time cheekpieces now go on Tripoli Flyer but, with most of his form being right-handed, he doesn’t look like one of the potential Cheltenham horses in the Kempton Christmas Hurdle. Similar comments apply to course regular Rubaud. He pays his way for Paul Nicholls by farming the Listed conditions race over course and distance, then going on to Wincanton for the Elite Hurdle.
At the highest level, however, Rubaud hasn’t delivered yet. On a sound surface with his Flat pedigree, he’ll get optimum conditions to silence any doubters and enhance his fine course record. Similar comments apply to Celtic Dino, though, and his yard boasts excellent strike rates over hurdles and fences this season.
Gary & Josh Moore four-year-old Give It To Me Oj completes the line-up. Off level weights against his elders, stepping out of handicap company looks daunting. With wins at tracks across both codes like Newbury, Sandown, Epsom and Cheltenham races, he might struggle with the tight turns of Kempton Park. With prize money down to sixth, Give It To Me Oj gets something just for jumping round.
Kempton Christmas Hurdle 2025 Shortlist & Verdict
At odds-on and with a year-long absence to overcome, Sir Gino doesn’t represent much in the way of value. Two to seriously consider against the favourite here are GOLDEN ACE and, from a form perspective, CELTIC DINO. While bookies only pay out on two places each-way, one or other will surely hit the frame minimum if on song.
