Long road ahead for Sir Gino, but not out of the question he could run again in the future

Sir Gino has a “long journey” ahead of him after suffering a fractured pelvis at Cheltenham on Saturday, but trainer Nicky Henderson has not given up hope of him potentially resuming his racing career one day.

The Unibet Hurdle won by The New Lion finished in almost silence, with huge concern surrounding Nicky Henderson’s superstar after he was pulled up by Nico de Boinville just after halfway, although thankfully the six-year-old was able to walk onto the horse ambulance after being attended to by the on-course veterinary team.

“I’ve spoken with the veterinaries and they’re happy he had a reasonably comfortable night,” the Seven Barrows handler told the Press Association on Sunday morning.

“They’re doing more scans and X-rays today. They can see where the fractures are, but he’s doing OK and George (Daly) my assistant has been to see him this morning and sent me a photograph of him.

“He looks bright, but as he spent most of last year in hospital I suppose he’s quite used to it, poor boy.”

Having missed the second half of last season after suffering a life-threatening infection, Sir Gino proved his brilliance remains very much intact with a successful return from a year on the sidelines in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Henderson says it will be “months and months and months” before he knows whether his charge will race again, but he is not giving up hope.

He added: “It’s nothing to do with what happened last year, it’s actually in the opposite hind leg and it is obviously high up.

“In simple terms he has a fractured pelvis and they are not uncommon and they can mend. It’s going to be a long journey, but if he can come back he will and if he can’t well he’ll be looked after forever.

“It will be months and months and months before we know where we are or have any prognosis. Nobody deserves it, but he certainly doesn’t and nor does Joe (Donnelly), and for Karolina (Wernerova, groom) who looks after him it was horrible last night – empty stables are not much fun.”