'Down Royal is the plan' - super Saturday in store as Gerri Colombe set to return on same day as City Of Troy's Classic bid

Gerri Colombe: on the way to winning last year's Ladbrokes Champion Chase under Jack KennedyCredit: Patrick McCann

Gerri Colombe will return to Down Royal on November 2 in search of back-to-back wins in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase on the same day City Of Troy bids for Breeders' Cup Classic glory at Del Mar on what promises to be a sensational Saturday for the sport.

Gordon Elliott reports last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup second to have strengthened considerably over the summer and the eight-year-old is in the final stages of his pre-training with Gold Cup-winning rider Robbie Power. 

Gerri Colombe defied an in-running high of 35-1 on Betfair to lunge late and deny Envoi Allen in last year's Down Royal feature, and a repeat victory would make Elliott the most successful trainer in the race's history with six wins.  

Elliott said on Wednesday "Gerri looks great and seems to have got bigger and stronger over the summer. He's spent the last month hacking away with Robbie Power and he'll come back into me next week. He seems to be in great nick and we're looking forward to getting him back and getting him going again. It's exciting. 

"He seems to thrive on racing – we saw that last year when he went on to Aintree and won the Bowl after the Gold Cup. He's tough and loves his racing. I would imagine we'll stick to the same sort of script as last year and he'll definitely start off again in Down Royal. That's the plan at the moment anyway."

Gerri Colombe had four outings last season, and Elliott is unsure whether more will be seen of his star this winter. 

Gerri Colombe was last seen getting the better of Ahoy Senor in the Aintree BowlCredit: Michael Steele

He said: "He had four runs last year and it will probably be the same sort of thing this season. It's all well and good saying he thrives on racing, but you can't overdo it with those big staying chasers either. You can't run them every day of the week or they will start to feel the effects of it. 

"Gerri will start off at Down Royal. That's the plan at the moment and we will hopefully get him back to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup in the best possible shape we can to try and go one better."

Elliott feels there is one department of Gerri Colombe's game that can be improved on. He said: "I think we can slicken up his jumping. He just spends a split-second too long in the air for my liking, so that's one area we'll be looking to improve this season."

Gerri Colombe is priced between 8-1 and 12-1 for the 2025 Gold Cup, with his conqueror last season, Galopin Des Champs, sharing favouritism in some books with new kid on the block Fact To File at 7-2. 

Stayers' Hurdle winner Teahupoo will follow a similar pattern this season when returning to the Hatton's Grace in DecemberCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Last year's Stayers' Hurdle hero Teahupoo who, like Gerri Colombe, is owned by Robcour, will once again return to Fairyhouse in early December to try to emulate the mighty Honeysuckle – as well as Apple's Jade, Solerina and Limestone Lad – by winning a third Hatton's Grace Hurdle. 

Elliott said: "Teahupoo will start back at Fairyhouse as always. If this season goes as well as last season, that'll do me."

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 2025)
Ladbrokes: 3 Galopin Des Champs, 4 Fact To File, 10 Gerri Colombe, 12 Fastorslow, 14 Grey Dawning, Il Est Francais, 16 Inothewayurthinkin, Spillanes Tower, 20 bar.

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