GINO CAREER IN BALANCE

Lion's victory totally overshadowed

- BY DAVID YATES

SIR GINO was last night under veterinary supervision after suffering a suspected fractured pelvis in the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Grade Two trial went to The New Lion, but became next to meaningless after Sir Gino, unbeaten in seven runss and 5-4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle yesterday morning, was pulled up abruptly by Nico de Boinville after jumping the third-last obstacle.

The Nicky Henderson-saddled six-year-old, who had been sent off at 2-5 to beat three rivals, was able to walk into a horse ambulance before being taken to the Three Counties Equine Hospital in Tewkesbury.

“There are no lower-limb fractures,” said an emotional Henderson, “but it appears to be a pelvic injury.