Sir Gino: Nicky Henderson’s Arkle Favorite to Miss Game Spirit Run | Racing news

Sir Gino from Nicky Henderson will not run in the best odds on Saturday, guaranteed Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

The five -year -old is excluded from the class two competition because of a small injury that has left him painfully and is unable to run.

Henderson is now looking for alternative competitions to get the gelding to the racecourse prior to his Cheltenham Festival -target of the Arkle.

The trainer said via X: “We have something new to share in Sir Gino. Unfortunately, Sir Gino will not be able to run in newbury tomorrow yesterday during the routine exercise happened yesterday and although he is less painful this morning than last night, I am afraid it will not be completely cleaned up by Saturday.

“We expect him to be normal again early next week, so the timing is very unfortunate.

“This will leave us a dilemma where we have to go to get another point for the arkle. The pendil in Kempton would be an option, although it is more than two and a half miles, which is not ideal.

“There are few alternatives except a newly created two-mile Novice in Bangor on 26 February, but that comes terribly close to Cheltenham.”

So far, Sir Gino has only had one start about fences when he led a hugely impressive winner from the Chase of the Wayward Lad Novices in Kempton during Christmas.

Henderson added: “It is very annoying. He will be on the watercourse and he will be there today and tomorrow and hopefully we will ride him again on Monday.”

Bookmakers illuminated Sir Gino to 8-11 Favorite of 4-6 in the gamble for my pension expert Arkle Trophy in response to the late change in plan. Companies also have the second favorite, Majborough to 7-4 trimmed from 2-1.

“All racing fans will hope that the absence of Sir Gino from Newbury is only a temporary setback, because he is currently one of the most exciting jumpers, but missing the game spirit is clearly not ideal, and as a result are We relax his arkle opportunities somewhat, although he remains the favorite for the race, “said Coral’s David Stevens.

View the William Hill Best Odds Guarded Game Spirit Chase Live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday 8 February.