Sir Gino put in a scintillating display to see off Ballyburn in the much-anticipated clash in the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novac Chase at Kempton Park.
For the second time in two days, the Grade Two contest produced a stunning clash between two superstars from the yard in Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins.
And as was the case in the Christmas Hurdle, in which Constitution Hill saw off Lossiemouth, top honors went to Seven Barrows – and in some style, too.
Sir Gino, so impressive when deputizing for Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on his seasonal comeback, was the 8/13 favorite for a winning debut over greater hurdles under Nico de Boinville.
Ballyburn, a three-time Grade One Novice Hurdle winner last season and near-perfect on his debut at Punchestown last month, was a 7/4 chance in the hands of Paul Townend.
The big two dominated for much of the two-mile contest, with Ballyburn initially holding sway before De Boinville gave Sir Gin the head and allowed him to race down the back straight.
Ballyburn did their best to stay in the race but Sir Gino continued to come out on top in the show jumping and found a kit that Ballyburn just couldn't live with soon after the turnaround at home.
Sir Gino had a safe race provided he safely negotiated the final fence and he did just that to seal a hugely impressive seven and a half length verdict.