Cheltenham Festival: Arkle favourite Sir Gino out for season and receiving hospital treatment for ligament infection

Long-time Cheltenham Festival favourite Sir Gino has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a ligament infection.

The five-year-old was forced to miss an intended run at Newbury on Saturday with what was described as a “small wound” on a hind leg, but that injury has now become infected and Sir Gino is being treated in an equine hospital.

Owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, Sir Gino is a perfect five from five in Britain, winning twice over fences and was as short as 8/11 for the Arkle Chase on day one of the Festival in March.

In a statement on X, Henderson 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.”

It is the second successive Festival Sir Gino has missed after being pulled out of last year’s Triumph Hurdle as health issues plagued Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard.

It leaves Willie Mullins’ Majborough as the 4/7 favourite in the Arkle, ahead of L’Eau du Sud and Ballyburn.