Sir Gino back at Nicky Henderson's yard after injury setback with trainer hopeful star chaser can return to racecourse

Nicky Henderson welcomed Sir Gino back to his yard on Monday but said there is still a long road ahead if his star chaser is to return to the racecourse.

The five-year-old has spent five weeks at Donnington Grove vets near Newbury after sustaining an infection to the ligaments in his near hind leg, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

An impressive winner of the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton on December 27 and long-time Arkle ante-post favourite, Sir Gino was admitted to the veterinary hospital after missing the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, but has now returned to Seven Barrows.

Henderson said on Monday afternoon: "He came home this morning after five weeks away. He does seem well, but nobody would feel amazing if they'd been bed-ridden for five weeks.

"He's been at Donnington since way before Cheltenham and it's been pretty nasty, but Henry O'Neill and his team have done amazingly. He's been working with a lot of consultants and people around the world. They think they're on top of it, which is the main thing, but we have to stay on top of it."

Sir Gino: impressive winner of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in NovemberCredit: GROSSICK RACING

Henderson is fully aware of the challenges Sir Gino faces before he can return to action but remains optimistic the dual Grade 1 winner will make a full recovery.

He said: "He's got a long recuperation and rehabilitation to come before we get an idea if he's going to be a racehorse again, but everyone is hopeful. He's got all of the summer to come, when he'll hopefully get out in the field, and everyone has done a brilliant job.

"It's a bit sad, though. The one thing he won't do is win an Arkle because he won't be a novice anymore, but all that matters is that he comes through it. If we can get him back on to a racecourse it'll be fantastic."

Jango Baie: was given a brilliant ride by Nico de Boinville to win the ArkleCredit: GROSSICK RACING

Henderson still landed the Grade 1 courtesy of a late rally from Jango Baie, who was running over two miles for the first time since December 2023 and was given a superb ride by Nico de Boinville.

Henderson said: "He’s a brilliant horse and it was a brilliant ride, and you won’t see better than that because you’ve got to be dead cool. We know what Nico is in those Grade 1 cauldrons. He’s Mr Cool and he was there again when we needed him. It takes something a bit special to do what he did and sit it out. Before, we were thinking about whether he goes two or three miles and halfway round it looked as though I’d made the wrong call, but we got away with it.

"He’s only had three runs this season and I’d like to run him again. The big question is where, because Aintree comes very quickly. It’s either there or Punchestown."

Read these next:

Sir Gino's future 'in the lap of the gods' says Nicky Henderson as star novice ruled out for the season 

Nicky Henderson: 'Sir Gino's situation remains critical but he is comfortable and in the very best hands' 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.