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

Nicky Henderson said Sir Gino's future was "in the lap of the gods" after the ante-post Arkle favourite was ruled out for the season by injury on Monday.

The Seven Barrows star has been admitted to the Donnington Grove equine hospital where he is being treated for a wound to his near hind leg that has become infected. 

The unbeaten five-year-old, who was 8-11 for the Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 before drifting on the exchanges on Monday morning, missed the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday after he sustained the injury during a routine piece of work last Thursday.

Henderson had hoped Sir Gino would miss only a few days and possibly run at Kempton on Saturday week instead in preparation for the Arkle, but his condition deteriorated.

Speaking to the Racing Post, Henderson said: "We’re in the lap of the gods and the vets as to what the future holds, but we’re fighting away. He needs a bit of help from some very good vets, and he also probably needs help from upstairs too. 

"This suddenly went down quite quickly from what we thought was all right. We were upbeat on Saturday morning but yesterday morning wasn’t so good at all, and last night wasn’t either. These things come on so quickly. It’s horrible and it comes from nowhere."

The Lambourn trainer has been in regular contact with Sir Gino’s owners Joe and Marie Donnelly and said: "It’s horrendous for Joe, Marie, and everyone at Seven Barrows. It’s horrific. This is a bright star and he’s wounded, and he’s well wounded too. Joe has been a superstar of an owner and he understands. We’ve had some fantastically good horses with him, as has Willie. Don’t forget we lost Shishkin last year."

In Sir Gino's absence, the Willie Mullins-trained Majborough heads the Arkle betting at a general 8-13, with L'Eau Du Sud cut to 5-1 second favourite.

Henderson broke the devastating news on Monday morning, in a statement on X that described it as a "dreadful blow". He 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 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."

Sir Gino began his season by winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, but with stablemate Constitution Hill returning from his own setbacks, he was sent novice chasing and cemented his star status by thrashing Ballyburn at Kempton over Christmas. 

It will be the second consecutive year he has missed the festival. Twelve months ago he was favourite for the Triumph Hurdle but was withdrawn the day before the race due to concerns over the health of the entire Seven Barrows string.

Henderson said: "He came back and bounced back. He showed what he could do at Aintree and he proved his point."

Henderson subsequently scored a blank at jump racing's biggest meeting for the first time since 2008 with Constitution Hill, Jonbon and Shishkin also among those to miss their intended targets.

Arkle Chase (Cheltenham, March 11)
Coral: 8-15 Majborough, 5 L’Eau Du Sud, 8 Mistergif, 12 Only By Night, 14 Ile Atlantique, Touch Me Not, 16 Firefox, Gidleigh Park, Impaire Et Passe, 20 Ballyburn, Jango Baie, Springwell Bay, 25 bar

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