Trainer Nicky Henderson has confirmed that Sir Gino faces a 'long journey' to recovery after fracturing his pelvis at Cheltenham on Saturday, but remains hopeful the horse may race again one day.
The six-year-old was pulled up by jockey Nico de Boinville just after halfway in the Unibet Hurdle, won by The New Lion. The incident left the crowd in near silence, but Sir Gino was able to walk onto the horse ambulance after being treated by on-course vets.
Speaking on Sunday morning, Henderson said the horse had a 'reasonably comfortable night' and was undergoing further scans. 'They can see where the fractures are, but he's doing OK,' he added.
Sir Gino missed the second half of last season due to a life-threatening infection, but returned to win the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in December. Henderson stressed the current injury is unrelated, occurring in the opposite hind leg.
'It's going to be a long journey, but if he can come back he will,' Henderson said. 'It will be months and months before we know where we are.'
