‘A dreadful blow’: top horse in hospital after injury

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James Bowen and Sir Gino on their way to winning at Cheltenham's Festival Trials Day - Sir Gino is now favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March
Sir Gino ridden by James Bowen wins the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle during the Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse in 2024.
(Image credit: Alamy Live News.)

Sir Gino, who was favourite to win the Arkle Chase on day one of next month’s Cheltenham Festival, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a ligament infection.

The five-year-old, trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, has been admitted to equine hospital as a result of the injury, which he sustained last week and meant he was declared a non-runner in Saturday’s (8 February) Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

Gemma Redrup
Gemma Redrup
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.