'We'll keep dreaming' - Gerri Colombe keeps Gold Cup ambition alive for Gordon Elliott in Bowl thriller

It was not pretty, and it was never going to be spectacular, but Gerri Colombe did what he does best as he kept the dreams of winning a Gold Cup alive when bravely battling to victory in the William Hill Bowl.

After experiencing the pain of defeat by Galopin Des Champs on his last two runs, including when a gallant second in the festival showpiece last month, the Gordon Elliott-trained star had the pleasure of winning once again, even though his Gold Cup defeat had left a mark.

Victory never looked a certainty for Gerri Colombe, and Jack Kennedy began to send out warning signals turning in, but his tenacious will – a hallmark of his career – helped him grind out victory by half a length from a rejuvenated Ahoy Senor, with Corbetts Cross back in third.

He got the job done to secure a fifth Grade 1 triumph of his career, but more importantly to Elliott, it gave him hope of getting revenge on Galopin Des Champs next March.

"He was very tough. Jack said he was never happy the whole way and felt a bit flat, but that shows the guts he has," he said. "He had a hard race in the Gold Cup, but he's very, very tough and was probably going again. He said he was in front too soon and while he does just enough, he's a great horse. 

"It's all systems go towards the Gold Cup next year and we'll probably follow the same route with him. We'll keep dreaming – it's a great game. I felt like I was a bit on the cold list coming into this, but now he's won for me and I've had one at Limerick too."

Gerri Colombe battles past Ahoy Senor to land the BowlCredit: Grossick Racing (racingpost.com/photos)

The victory left owner Brian Acheson struggling for words, such is the love for his star. He said it was the pinnacle of his season and another clash with Galopin Des Champs is on hold until next campaign.

Robcour's pink, white and black colours were also carried by the fifth-placed Gentlesmansgame, who Acheson thought had come with a victorious run in the home straight.

"Gerri Colombe is some horse, like a proper, proper horse," he said. "We're so lucky at the moment and I can't thank enough Mags [O'Toole] for finding him. I genuinely thought he was beaten, but he's got the constitution of a lion. I'm stuck for words to describe how wonderful he is.

"I turned around and said to my family we have to look at the grey, Gentlemansgame, because I thought Gerri had gone. Gentlemansgame was tanking but then out of nowhere Gerri comes again. He's not going to go to Punchestown. He's definitely done for the season now."

It was a first Bowl success for Elliott, Acheson and Kennedy, who also has the matter of a jockeys' title battle against Paul Townend to focus on in Ireland.

However, he was thrilled for the limelight to be back on his ally on Merseyside after missing his victory in the Mildmay Novices' Chase last year when sitting out the meeting with a broken leg.

He said: "He's a brilliant horse. He had a tough race in the Gold Cup and while I'd have been disappointed if he didn't win, I wouldn't have been shocked if it had left a mark on him. Today he wasn't at his best but he was tough and got it done. The Gold Cup definitely left his mark on him."

Corbetts Cross was dismounted by Mark Walsh, who said: "He ran a great race. I got off him because he was a bit tired afterwards."

Shishkin weakened in the home straight to finish fourth, while Bravemansgame's underwhelming season continued after he finished last of the six finishers. Thunder Rock was pulled up.

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