Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase winner Sir Gino returned to Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard on Monday for the primary time since being admitted to a veterinary hospital after choosing up an an infection.
The five-year-old, who was ante-post favorite for the Arkle Chase earlier than being dominated out for the rest of the season, will now proceed his recuperation in Henderson’s care.
The ailment, dubbed a “super-bug” by his coach, is formally an an infection sustained to the ligaments in his close to hind leg and he was beneath the supervision of the workers at Donnington Grove vets till Monday morning.
Chatting with the Racing Publish, Henderson stated: “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. They think they’re on top of it, which is the main thing, but we have to stay on top of it.
“He got here dwelling this morning after 5 weeks away. He does appear effectively, however no person would really feel wonderful in the event that they’d been bed-ridden for 5 weeks.”
Many pundits and onlookers have speculated as as to if the twin Grade One winner will ever take to the monitor once more, such is the potential severity of his an infection.
Owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, Sir Gino had appeared destined for greatness after following up an unbeaten hurdling profession – culminating in success in November’s Combating Fifth – with a convincing victory over Ballyburn within the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton in December.
Henderson added: “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 is a bit unhappy, although. The one factor he will not do is win an Arkle as a result of he will not be a novice anymore, however all that issues is that he comes by way of it.”
Sir Gino is the 7/2 favorite (finest worth) for the 2026 renewal of the Champion Chase, along with his stablemate Jonbon – crushed by Marine Nationale on this time period’s contest – a ten/1 likelihood.
