Sir Gino in equine hospital and will miss Cheltenham

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.

However, that injury has now spread to other areas, necessitating hospitalization.

“Unfortunately, Sir Gino’s situation has deteriorated a little, and he has been taken to the equine hospital,” Henderson said.

An infection has been found to have infected the ligaments in his near-foreign leg following initial examinations at Donnington Grove.

He will need a lot of time to recover, which will regrettably prevent him from competing again this year.

Owners Joe and Marie Donnelly and everyone at Seven Barrows are in a terrible position, but we will do everything in our power to restore this incredible bright light to full fitness next season.

The five-year-old Sir Gino won his first fence race victory at Kempton in December, beating Ballyburn in his first outing. He has won all six of his previous career victories.

Sir Gino was a 9-11 favorite for the Arkle on the opening day of Cheltenham on March 11 despite missing the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.