Nicky Henderson in tears as Cheltenham favourite pulls up weeks before festival: ‘It’s not good’

Legendary horse racing trainer Nicky Henderson could not contain his emotions when giving a heart-wrenching update on Sir Gino.

The six-year-old was the favourite to win the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday, but pulled up halfway through the race.

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Sir Gino – tipped to shine when the Cheltenham Festival starts on March 10 – pulled up after jumping the sixth hurdle.

He had only just returned to action in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day following a year out due an infection in his leg that threatened his career.

His eagerly-anticipated comeback ended with him winning at Kempton Park by six lengths of reigning Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace.

But in tragic news, he has now suffered another injury, with Sir Gino walking onto the horse ambulance.

A statement issued by the Jockey Club read: “In our sixth race of the day, Sir Gino was quickly pulled up and was dismounted.

“He was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary team where he was assessed on course.

“Sir Gino has walked onto the horse ambulance to go back to the stables for further assessment.”

Speaking to ITV Racing after the incident, Henderson was reduced to tears when discussing Sir Gino, who he revealed had picked up a pelvic injury.

He said: “They were able to put him into the ambulance, it’s his right-hind.

“It appears to be high up so there are no lower-limb fractures. 

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“It would appear to be a pelvic injury at the moment.

“He has loaded and I’d rather they take him to Three Counties veterinary hospital without unloading here and then they can assess and scan and just see where we are

“It’s not good, but everybody is fighting.

“Pelvic injuries can be little ones and big ones, so we’ve just got to keep everything crossed.”

Before adding: “We won’t know anymore tonight.

“They need a chance to assess him so it will be late on I expect.”