Grand National plan for Gerri Colombe The Randox Grand National at Aintree on April 11 is firmly in the calendar for Gerri Colombe after the multiple Grade 1-winning gelding put in a much-improved performance over hurdles at Gowran yesterday. The Robcour-owned son of Saddler Maker was a star novice over fences winning three times at the highest level including the Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices’ Chase and gained two further Grade 1 wins in open company, including the William Hill Bowl Chase also at Aintree in 2024. Gordon Elliott’s charge was sidelined for over a year until disappointing in the Savills Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, but showed much more of his old spark in the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle. The ten-year-old gelding held every chance early in the straight and only weakened on the run-in when third to Home By The Lee in that Grade 2 event, leaving connections much happier with his progress. “He ran a good race and we were very happy. Jack said he took a blow after the second-last and we could now go for something like the Bobbyjo Chase next. You'd imagine the Grand National is the road he will go down,” said Elliott. “We think it all happened too quick for him the last day (at Leopardstown) and when we got him home, there was nothing wrong with him. He showed more zest today than the last day, one hundred per cent.” Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
