Gordon Elliott's Gerri Colombe claims first win in two years as Nicky Rockett finishes third
BIG WIN: Gerri Colombe gave Gordon Elliott some decisions to make with a straightforward victory in the Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase at Down Royal. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
Gerri Colombe, trained for Robcour by Gordon Elliott, registered his first success since the Aintree ‘Bowl’ almost two years ago when landing the Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase, highlight of the St. Patrick’s Day action in Down Royal.
Ridden by Jack Kennedy and up front with 2022 winner and veteran Roi Mage all the way, the ten-year-old went on three from home and survived a mistake at the last to score by five lengths, with last year’s Aintree Grand National winner Nick Rockett, on his belated seasonal debut, plugging on to take third spot and qualifying for a return trip to Merseyside.
“Jack said he was enjoying himself on the ground, but that he didn’t do a stroke when he got to the front,” stated the winning trainer, who completed a double with 4/1 newcomer Lizzie Twigg (Josh Halford), in his own colours, in the mare’s bumper.
“He’s been an unbelievable horse for us. He jumped well today and it’s great that he got his head in front again. So, we’re very happy. I was delighted with him the last day in Fairyhouse and he’s coming along the whole time.
“We’ll head to Aintree now – he’s in the ‘National’, or he could go for the ‘Bowl’ again. We’ll have a chat with Brian and Rob (the Achesons, father and son) and see what we think.”
Jack Kennedy added: “We had different ideas at the last, but he was good and clever. Other than that, tie as straight-forward enough.”
Barley Lane, trained by Eddie and Patrick Harty, made virtually all to land the opening Bluegrass Relite Maiden Hurdle in the hands of Kieren Buckley. Beating favourite Powerful Paddy.
P“We like this guy a lot. Easter might come too soon for him, so Punchestown looks a better option. But it’s all about chasing for him, next season and beyond,” said Patrick Harty.
The Bluegrass High Performance Rated Novice Chase provided a 1-2 for owner J P McManus as Raglan Road, ridden for Henry de Bromhead by Mike O’Connor, prevailed over Slanagaibhgoleir by a half-length. They were two of the four 7/2 co-favourites.
Ross O’Sullivan, whose gambled-on favourite Spanish Maid was denied by Robert Tyner’s Connemara Shore (Darragh O’Keeffe) in Wexford, won the Bluegrass Resolve Cube Hunters Chase with the Lee Shanahan-ridden Dora d’Or.
In Wexford, Gold Cup hero Paul Townend had mixed luck on his two rides, pulling up Eliodam in the William Hill Maiden Hurdle, won by Philip Rothwell’s Zam Bobbler before guiding Yoradreamer, an uneasy 13/8 favourite, to twenty-two lengths win over Waittillitellyou in the long-distance beginner’s chase.
"He jumped well on the whole but gave me a bit of a scare at the last,” commented Townend.
“He’s developing into a nice, staying chaser and will probably keep going on the better ground.”
The colours of Jimmy Fyffe, carried to Cheltenham glory by Supremely West last week, were victorious again when Westoftigness, making his stable debut for John McConnell, captured the Treo Eile Novice Handicap Hurdle at the expense of Poppycon.
“It’s great to have a horse for Jimmy,” said McConnell.
“He jumped very well, although I thought Alex (Harvey) got there a bit soon. We might end up in Ayr with him.”
Successful with Raglan Road in Down Royal, Henry de Bromhead completed an across-the-card double when John Gleeson partnered the Robcour-owned, odds-on favourite Minella Machine, promising on debut at Leopardstown. to a convincing win in the Wexfordraces.ie Pro-Am Flat Race.
And Catchabird, trained in Tallow, County Waterford, by Sarah Connell for her mother Clare, made it fourteenth-time-lucky over hurdles when justifying 7/4 favouritism in the Wexford Racecourse Saturday Mornings Park Run Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Aidan Kelly’s mount might reappear, under a penalty, in Navan on Saturday.
