Gerri Colombe sets up possible Aintree trip as Grand National winner Nick Rockett finishes third on his reappearance

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Last year’s Grand National winner Nick Rockett secured his spot in this year's race merely by setting off at Down Royal yesterday and did little more than that in finishing a moderate third of four in a race won comfortably by fellow Aintree entry Gerri Colombe.

Making his reappearance following a series of winter setbacks in the 3m2f Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase, Nick Rockett was reunited with his National-winning partner Patrick Mullins and was conceding weight all round under his 7lb penalty. Sent off at 13-8, he sat in third throughout as the pace was set in front by Roi Mage.

Following the leader was Jack Kennedy aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained Gerri Colombe, who had looked as though he was coming back to something like his old form when taking second behind Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time, and the market took heed as he was well backed into 8-13 favouritism.

As the field headed for the second-last, Patrick Mullins began to send out the warning signals, and it briefly looked as though Nick Rockett would be overtaken by the 105-rated and 66-1 chance The Gradual Slope. 

To his credit, though, the Aintree hero kept on to take third spot. Crucially, it means he is now qualified to defend his Grand National title.

Up ahead of him, Gerri Colombe got rolling up the straight to put five lengths of daylight between himself and the runner-up, gaining his first win since taking the Aintree Bowl back in 2024.

“It was straightforward enough,” Kennedy said. “He actually enjoyed that better ground as well. 

"He’ll probably go to Aintree next. I’m not sure if it will be the National or the Bowl – obviously that will be up to Gordon and connections.”

Gerri Colombe was cut to 25-1 (from 33-1) by Paddy Power for the Grand National with Nick Rockett unchanged at 20-1.

Rockstown Girl resolute to fend off Cullentra

Rockstown Girl and rider James Smith proved a hardy duo when fending off the repeated attentions of the Jack Kennedy-ridden Coppola to land division one of the 2m4½f handicap hurdle.

The 11-1 winner provided trainer Anthony McCann with his third win of the season, while it gave 5lb claimer Smith his 12th success of this term.

“I got there plenty early and had to commit, but she was always doing enough,” the winning rider said.

Randox Grand National (Aintree, April 11)
Paddy Power: 10 Grangeclare West, I Am Maximus, Iroko, 12 Jagwar, 16 Haiti Couleurs, Johnnywho, Monty’s Star, Panic Attack, 20 Captain Cody, Nick Rockett, Oscars Brother, Spillane’s Tower, 25 Favori De Champdou, Gerri Colombe, Now Is The Hour, Stellar Story, 33 Final Orders, Gorgeous Tom, Lecky Watson, 40 bar.

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