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Sunday’s racing round-up includes news of Auguste Rodin’s retirement ceremony in Japan…
Following the announcement of Constitution Hill's absence in Saturday's Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Lambourn handler Nicky Henderson has revealed that unbeaten four-year-old Sir Gino is due to take his place in the Newcastle showpiece. Whilst it was anticipated he would make his chasing debut at Kempton on Monday, the gelding has since been rerouted to the North East to deputise for the Seven Barrows team.
Auguste Rodin was unable to sign off in fairytale style in Tokyo, finishing eighth of fourteen in the Grade 1 Japan Cup on his last start before retiring to stud. In a tactically run race, the son of Deep Impact looked one-paced throughout, finding traffic and unable to progress beyond midfield. The dual-Derby winner enjoyed a 20-minute retirement ceremony, as per the Japanese racing tradition which saw over 15,000 punters stay behind to give him a send-off fit for a champion. The £3 million prize went the way of popular favourite Do Deuce, ridden by the legendary Yutaka Take.
Kingland breezed to Grade 1 success at Auteuil in the Prix Renaud du Vivier under jockey Kevin Nabet. Sent off a warm 1/2 favourite, the four-year-old hit the front three obstacles out and never looked in danger. In their post-race interview with Sky Sports Racing, connections hinted the Gold Cup would be the long-term project for the gelded son of Cokoriko. He joins a star-studded roster of highly-rated French hurdlers to have claimed the Auteuil prize, alongside Theleme, Il Est Francais, and Master Dino.