GERRI COLOMBE
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- Owner: Robcour
- Age: 10
- National Weight: 11st 10lb
- Season Form Figures: P321
- National Prep-Race: 1st - Chase race, Down Royal (Mar 2026)
"Gerri Colombe is another horse the stats boys will want to take on given he is a ten-year-old, but having been in the wilderness, there was a lot to like about the run behind Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.
He followed that up with a win at Down Royal and it’s just starting to look like the spark is back. Connections were always hoping he’d bounce back to this kind of level, but he missed a season through injury, and it’s maybe just been a case of they have been bringing him slowly along with the National in mind.
It was nice to see that spark back in truth as let’s not forget, he’s a multiple Grade 1 winner and a horse who finished second to Galopin Des Champs in a Gold Cup, when Galopin was at the peak of his powers. It wasn’t that long ago this horse was rated 170 but he runs here off 160 having won two Grade 1s at the track over fences, albeit on a the Mildmay course.
If this horse won the National, would it be a surprise? Absolutely not when you look at the mark he runs off here with some of his back form and in many ways he is the type of modern National horse that you need to win the race where class is a significant factor. The modern National isn’t the old school plodders’ race anymore and you need to be a classy sort to even get into the race, never mind win it.
I just like what I saw in his last two runs at Down Royal and Fairyhouse where maybe the cheekpieces have helped; he just looks like he has been set up lovely for a crack at this. When I say the spark is back, with some of these older horses it can all look a bit laboured, but I didn’t see that with him at Down Royal and Fairyhouse and I loved how he finished out his races.
He’s not a tired old, exposed horse who has had plenty of runs and while it’s taken them time to get him back after his injury, he’s only run 18 times under rules, with one of those coming in a Gold Cup (runner-up).
The Handicapper clearly feels he isn’t as good since the injury, but he’s come down the weights which is obviously a positive and he’s always shaped like he’d be worth a crack over an extreme distance. Let’s just say this, I don’t think a lack of stamina will get him beat, or his jumping."
The Bottom Line
- Strong Suit
- "He’s a previous Gold Cup runner-up who looks to be getting his spark back."
- Weak Spot
- "I suppose recent runnings say a ten-year-old can’t win."