Gerry Colomb’s planned run at Down Royal depends on easy ground

Elliott, speaking to Sporting Life about the stable tour that will be available on Sunday, said of last year’s winner: “He’s in really good form, he’s been working well here (at Navan) since Wednesday’s races. We’ve talked to them at Down Royal and if the ground doesn’t give, we won’t give them ten or 12 days’ notice to get the watering can out and make sure the ground is safe for all these horses I love going to these racetracks if they don’t perform, it will be disappointing if it’s not, we won’t take the risk.”

Gerry Colombethe three-time Grade 1 winner as a novice showed great attitude to win last season’s Champion Chase on his first start in open company (repeat below), then he found only Galopin des Champs too strong in the Savills Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup. He took advantage of Galopen de Champs’ absence to win the Bowl at Aintree on his last start of the season.

Elliott hopes Gerry Colombe can be capable of an even better result this season and said: “He’s come on strong, I think he’s definitely a stronger horse. He needs to improve by four or five lengths to beat the Galopen de Chance but he pulled away well there last year and it’s all systems go again at Cheltenham.”

Elliott is responsible for six of his nine Champion Chase entries, including a runner-up finish in the Grand National last season. Delta Robot.

Delta Work won the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 and 2023 and was leading the race last season until it was canceled due to waterlogging. However, he will face a tougher challenge in this season’s race, which will be held as a handicap following changes to the festival’s programme.

Elliott said: “There have been a lot of changes at Cheltenham, I’m not surprised and I think it might be the right decision for a number of reasons, but I think the change from cross country to handicap is very disappointing. This race really came together. enjoyed watching and this year should have had Minella Indo, Galvin and Delta Work, all grade 1 winners.

“It’s all systems go for English National for Delta Work, but I don’t know which way we’re going to go.”

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