Five set to take Sir Gino on at Newbury on Saturday

Sir Gino will face five rivals when stepping into open company for the first time over fences in the Grade Two William Hill Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten six-year-old was a dual Grade One winner over hurdles after adding November’s Fighting Fifth success at Newcastle to last season’s Aintree juvenile victory.

He then made a sensational debut over bigger obstacles when brushing aside Ballyburn in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas.

However, the hot favourite for Arkle glory at Cheltenham will face a stiff test at Newbury, with the opposition headed by Alan King’s veteran Edwardstone, who made all to win unchallenged in this contest 12 months ago.

Matata goes into the extended two-mile event on the back of a 10-length triumph under 12st in a competitive Windsor handicap, while Libberty Hunter was another who scored last time out at Cheltenham.

JPR One brings elite-level form to the table after finishing third behind Sir Gino’s stablemate Jonbon in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, where the reopposing Master Chewy and Edwardstone both fell.

Djelo sidesteps the Game Spirit in favour of the William Hill Bet10 Get10 On Racing Denman Chase over just short of three miles.

The Venetia Williams-trained seven-year-old struck at the same Grade Two level in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon when beating Protektorat, but was well behind the same opponent in Windsor’s Fleur de Lys.

Paul Nicholls has claimed the race named after his former Gold Cup hero a record 10 times and will be doubly represented this term through Bravemansgame and Hitman.

Colin Tizzard saddled Native River to three Denman Chase wins before also prevailing in 2022 with Eldorado Allen, who is back for another crack at the age of 11, now under the care of Tizzard’s son Joe.

Fugitif, Ga Law, Le Patron and the 13-year-old Sam Brown complete the line-up.

The William Hill Handicap Hurdle, which carries £155,000 in prize-money and is worth over £87,000 to the winner, has attracted a field of 18 runners, headed by top-weight Lump Sum.

Hughie Morrison’s stunning chestnut Secret Squirrel has been among the market leaders ever since obliging at Windsor last month.

Henderson will be represented by last year’s victor Iberico Lord and well-backed lightweight Joyeuse, who will be the mount of Nico de Boinville.

Chris Gordon’s Aucunrisque is another past winner back for another attempt at landing Europe’s richest handicap hurdle.