Sir Gino: Cheltenham favourite ruled out of Arkle Chase and admitted to equine hospital
2025-02-10
Category: sports

Sir Gino, one of the hottest favourites for next month's Cheltenham Festival, has been admitted to an equine hospital and is out for the season.The unbeaten Arkle Chase favourite, trained by Nicky Henderson, was ruled out of his intended run at Newbury on Saturday with a leg wound.But that injury has now become infected and requires hospital treatment.Henderson said: "Unfortunately Sir Gino's situation has deteriorated somewhat and he has been admitted to the equine hospital."As a result of initial examinations at Donnington Grove, an infection has invaded the ligaments in his near hind leg."This will require lengthy treatment that will sadly rule him out of any further racing this season."This is a dreadful blow to [owners] Joe and Marie Donnelly and everybody at Seven Barrows, but we will be doing everything possible to help this incredible bright light back to full fitness next season."The five-year-old Sir Gino has won all six of his career races and was hugely impressive when beating Ballyburn to win at Kempton in December in his first run over fences.
Despite missing the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, Sir Gino was around 8-11 favourite for the Arkle on the opening day of Cheltenham on 11 March.In his absence, the Willie Mullins-trained Majborough heads the betting at a general 8-13, with L'Eau Du Sud 5-1 second favourite.Sir Gino also missed Cheltenham last year when he was favourite for the Triumph Hurdle but withdrawn the day before the race because of concerns over the health of Henderson's horses at the time.