Impressed Gordon Elliott mulls festival options for unbeaten Gerri Colombe

Gerri Colombe and Jordan Gainford land the Faugheen Novice Chase at LimerickCredit: David Keane

Monday: Limerick

Gerri Colombe made it six out of six on the track and two out of two over fences when recording a workmanlike yet convincing success in the Faugheen Novice Chase, giving trainer Gordon Elliott a second win in the race since it became a Grade 1 in 2018.

The imposing son of Saddler Maker is now as short as 5-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and is a general 10-1 shot for the National Hunt Chase.

Gerri Colombe came through this test in grand style under Jordan Gainford after the opposition served it up to him. Front-runner Authorized Art tested his jumping in the back straight as the pair raced together from some way out.

The winner saw him off between the last two but idled a bit in front before picking up again after the last to beat the best of the Willie Mullins trio, Adamantly Chosen, by four and a quarter lengths.

Gainford, who was beaten in the last stride on Farouk D'Alene in this race a year ago, said: “I want to say thanks to Gordon and to [owner] Robcour. From the first day I walked into Gordon's he has looked after me. He had the confidence to put me on this horse in a Grade 1 and it's unbelievable. It's very sweet to come back and win this race. I didn't want the same to happen as last year.

“He was very good to jump. Myself and Bryan (Cooper) went at it down the back and he was brilliant. For a novice to do what he did out there was very good.

"I think he'll be better again back up in trip and he loves soft ground. I owe a big thanks to Jack Kennedy too. He told me that when he gets there he would prick his two ears and have a look, but you would rather be there than try and be there.”

Speaking from Leopardstown, Elliott said: “He just keeps winning. He doesn't do anything fancy at home and when he got to the front he pulled himself up again. We're lucky to have him.”

“We'll have a look to see where we go next. The National Hunt Chase might suit if the ground was soft. He's a lovely horse that wouldn't like the ground very quick. He was a big baby last season and is coming to himself now.”

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