Gerri Colombe Gallops to Victory in Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal

In a thrilling display of horsemanship, Gerri Colombe emerged as the triumphant contender in the highly anticipated Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal. The Grade One race showcased four top-class horses, with trainers Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead each responsible for two of the competitors.

The quartet remained closely grouped throughout the race, leaving spectators on edge as any one of them had a chance to claim victory. However, it was Minella Indo who faltered first, while Gerri Colombe swiftly changed course from one side of the track to the other.

The remaining duo Conflated and Envoi Allen jumped their way to the final hurdle simultaneously. At that point, it seemed that Envoi Allen might have an advantage. Yet, Gerri Colombe steadily gained ground from the outside and managed to inch past them all just in time—making Jack Kennedy’s ride on him as the favorite (4-7) truly remarkable.

Elliott expressed his delight with Gerri Colombe’s performance: “We were delighted with him today; we knew there would be improvement as this was his first run against tough competition.” Owner Robcour similarly echoed this sentiment by mentioning how recently Gerri Colombe returned (September 19), ensuring ample room for further development.

A Pathway Towards Gold Cup Glory

Elliott continued sharing his plans for future races: “Now we’ll have one more run before aiming for the Gold Cup. Gerri Colombe’s performance today confirms that he is a strong contender for this prestigious title. His endurance and stamina are remarkable qualities needed in such races.”

The trainer also expressed his initial concerns during the race, highlighting Conflated’s tendency to veer left: “I was worried throughout as Conflated was distracting Jack’s horse with its erratic movement. However, I instructed Jack to guide him with care and find their rhythm.”

Reflecting on Gerri Colombe’s potential, Elliott shared, “He may seem laid-back at home but proves himself on the tracks. He shows immense talent considering that he only stepped into open company recently—a testament to his exceptional nature.”

Aiming for Redemption

Gerri Colombe has experienced just one defeat under rules, narrowly missing out in last year’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham Festival.

Elliott reflected on this disappointment saying: “We were all devastated after Cheltenham last year; things didn’t go our way that day. But Brian assured us we would be back here within a year.”

Elliott acknowledged Galopin Des Champ as an incredibly strong competitor trained by Willie Mullins but remained optimistic about Gerri Colombe’s chances in future races.

Acheson, owner of Robcour stable exclaimed: “Let’s try to get through March first; we know Galopin Des Champ is formidable competition—the best since Kauto Star!”

Making Strides Towards Success

Gerri Colombe saw a significant improvement in odds following his victory with bookmakers Coral cutting them from 6-1 down to 5-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, Acheson emphasized focusing on the present before making predictions for the future.

He said, “Although I thought he was beaten several times over in this race, let’s remember that March is still a long way off. We’ll tackle each challenge as it comes.”

Acheson further commended Elliott’s training skills: “I must admit I had faith in Elliott; he always believed we would do well at Down Royal. Gerri Colombe returned to racing within eight weeks and spent six of those refining his abilities under Robbie Power—those efforts will surely pay off!”