Gerri Colombe to miss Cheltenham following setback

The Gordon Elliott-trained Gerri Colombe has suffered a setback and the exciting novice hurdler will miss the Cheltenham Festival.

The son of Saddler Maker was purchased for £240,000 after winning a point-to-point for Colin Bowe and remains unbeaten in four starts (2 bumpers/2 hurdles) in the colours of Robcour having scored over 2m7f at Thurles in January.

“Gerri Colombe is out (of Cheltenham). He got a bit of bone pain and had to do two and a half weeks box rest. He’ll probably go to Punchestown if the ground is safe and if not he’ll go chasing next year," said Elliott at a press open day on Monday.

“It it happened at Christmas it would have been better than a week ago but what can you do.”

Gerri Colombe was one of the leading fancies for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle but the yard still holds a strong hand with the likes of Minella Crooner and Ginto.

“Minella Crooner will go for the Albert Bartlett and I just love the way he hits the line in every race. He made a mistake at the second last in Leopardstown and will learn a lot from that race. He’s an unassuming horse at home but Jack is getting to know him better every day.

“Ginto is in the Ballymore and the Albert Bartlett and we’ll see what the ground is like before making final declarations.

“I don’t think he’s slow and he’s won his maiden hurdle and two Graded races all over two and a half miles. It wasn’t ideal having to make all the running at Naas. He was looking around and not doing a stroke in front but was never going to get beat.

“Hollow Games will probably go for the Albert Bartlett. He’s disappointed me his last couple of runs. I didn’t feel he was finishing out his race as well as I would have liked him to.

“We’ve changed a couple of things and will probably put a tongue strap on him. He’s going to be a nice chaser.”