Cheltenham news

[the wanderer]

Last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe will not get the chance to go one better in March after meeting with a setback that has ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Trained by Gordon Elliott for Robcour, Gerri Colombe finished just three and a half lengths behind Galopin Des Champs in last year's Gold Cup and ended the season with Grade 1 success at Aintree in April.

He has run only once this season when finishing third in the Down Royal Champion Chase in November, but connections had been working back from a repeat bid in the Gold Cup before Monday's announcement.

"Unfortunately Gerri Colombe has met with a setback which means he will not run again this season," said Elliott in a statement. "It’s not career ending or especially serious but it’s come at the wrong time of the season, so we’re going to have to rule him out of the spring festivals.
"It’s a big blow for ourselves and the Robcour team but we will concentrate on getting him right for next season when hopefully all roads will lead back to the Gold Cup."

Gerri Colombe had been as short at 8-1 for March's showpiece, with Galopin Des Champs odds-on with bookmakers to complete a Gold Cup hat-trick at Cheltenham on March 14.

[the wanderer]

Horses scratched from the major Cheltenham Festival chases:
Champion Chase
American Mike
Blue Lord
Boothill
Gentleman De Mee
Kalif Du Berlais
Martator
Ryanair Chase
Ahoy Senor
Embassy Gardens
Grey Dawning
Il Ridoto
Martator
Stage Star
Gold Cup
Embassy Gardens
Gerri Colombe
Il Est Francais
Minella Cocooner

[the wanderer]

Nicky Henderson announces Arkle favourite Sir Gino to miss rest of the season through injury
Sir Gino: out for the season
Sir Gino: out for the season
Ante-post Arkle favourite Sir Gino has been ruled out for the season in "a dreadful blow to Joe and Marie Donnelly and everybody at Seven Barrows" said his trainer Nicky Henderson.
The unbeaten five-year-old, who was 8-11 overnight for the Grade 1 at Cheltenham but drifted on the exchanges on Monday morning, missed the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday after he sustained a wound to his near hind leg last Thursday.
Henderson had hoped Sir Gino would only miss a few days and possibly run at Kempton on Saturday week instead, but his condition has since deteriorated and he has now been admitted to equine hospital.
In a statement on X, Henderson said: "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.
"This is a dreadful blow to Joe and Marie Donnelly and everybody at Seven Barrows but we will be doing everything possible to help this incredible bright light back to full fitness next season."
In Sir Gino's absence, the Willie Mullins-trained Majborough heads the Arkle betting at a general 8-13, with L'Eau Du Sud shortened into 5-1 second favourite.

[Steve]

Horses scratched from the major Cheltenham Festival chases:
Champion Chase
American Mike
Blue Lord
Boothill
Gentleman De Mee
Kalif Du Berlais
Martator
Ryanair Chase
Ahoy Senor
Embassy Gardens
Grey Dawning
Il Ridoto
Martator
Stage Star
Gold Cup
Embassy Gardens
Gerri Colombe
Il Est Francais
Minella Cocooner

some big loses to the festival there