In the shape of Constitution Hill and Sir Gino, Nicky Henderson was responsible for two of Britain’s biggest chances at the 2025 edition of the Cheltenham Festival. Hopefully, all goes smoothly for the much-troubled Constitution Hill ahead of the March showpiece. However, those hoping to pair Sir Gino with the Champion Hurdle favourite in an opening-day double must now revise their plans.
Having missed his intended outing in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, the racing world knew that odds-on Arkle Challenge Trophy favourite Sir Gino was not 100% at present. Initial reports suggested that the five-year-old had suffered a minor setback and remained on course for the festival. However, Henderson revealed on Monday afternoon that the injury was significantly more troublesome than first feared. Rather than an absence of a few days, Sir Gino will now miss the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.
Infection Spreads Following Injury
A hind leg wound sustained in a routine gallop saw Sir Gino withdrawn from the Game Spirit Chase. However, the horse was expected to return sooner rather than later, with the fixture at Kempton Park on 22nd February mentioned as a potential target.
We have some news to share on Sir Gino.
Regrettably Sir Gino will be unable to run at Newbury tomorrow as he has sustained a small wound to the inside of his near hind leg which is sore, it must have occurred during routine exercise yesterday and although he is less sore this…
— Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) February 7, 2025
Those plans were dashed by a deterioration in Sir Gino’s condition, as detailed by Henderson on X:
“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.”
Huge Blow for Henderson and Racing Fans
The Cheltenham Festival is all about the star performers. The absence of Sir Gino sees one of the brightest lights on either side of the Irish Sea fall from the 2025 cast.
The son of It’s Gino has dazzled in his six career outings over hurdles and fences. An easy winner of his sole start in France, he compiled a perfect three-from-three record over the smaller obstacles in 2023/24 and looked even better in his two outings this term.
Parachuted in as a late replacement for Constitution Hill in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, he did his best impression of his illustrious stablemate when strolling to an eight-length victory. Sent to Kempton for his much-anticipated chase debut, he slammed the supremely talented Ballyburn by an effortless victory by just shy of eight lengths this time.
Following the tragic loss of Shiskin last season, owner Mrs J Donnelly is due some better luck with one of her superstar performers. Racing fans will join Donnely in keeping everything crossed in the hope that Sir Gino makes a full recovery and can continue his ascent to the top in 2025/26.
Majborough the New Market Leader
Sir Gino’s withdrawal from the Arkle left a 4/6 shaped hole at the head of the market. The horse to fill that gap unsurprisingly hails from the yard of Willie Mullins and goes by the name of Majborough.
Sporting the famous green and gold silks of JP McManus, this ex-French performer hasn’t quite matched the perfection of Sir Gino at the track to date but hasn’t been far off it. Also successful on only start in France, he came up short when third in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle on his debut for Mullins but is unbeaten in three outings since.
Having shown a liking for Prestbury Park when claiming the 2024 Triumph Hurdle, he has transitioned to chasing with aplomb in 2024/25. Much too good for talented stablemates Tullyhill and Asian Master first time out at Fairyhouse, he took the step up to Grade 1 company in his formidable stride when claiming the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Sir Gino vs Majborough looked set to provide one of the most fascinating head-to-head clashes on the opening day of the 2025 Festival. In the absence of his main market rival, Majborough is now priced around 4/7 to hand Mullins a seventh success in the race.
