OH GORD
Gordon Elliott suffers massive Cheltenham Festival blow with stable star Gerri Colombe ruled out for season
He's given Galopin Des Champs a scare in the past
GORDON ELLIOTT has suffered a massive Cheltenham Festival blow with stable star Gerri Colombe being ruled out for the season.
The big Gold Cup hope has suffered a serious setback - but it is not career-ending.
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It means Willie Mullins' awesome Galopin Des Champs has hardened to 4-7 fav to win a third straight Gold Cup on the back of his Irish Gold Cup win at Leopardstown last weekend.
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Elliott said: "Unfortunately Gerri Colombe has met with a setback which means he will not run again this season.
"It’s not career-ending or especially serious but it’s come at the wrong time of the season so we’re going to have to rule him out of the spring festivals.
"It’s a big blow for ourselves and the Robcour team but we will concentrate on getting him right for next season when hopefully all roads will lead back to the Gold Cup."
Gerri Colombe was beaten just over three lengths by Galopin Des Champs in last year's Gold Cup.
He took the Aintree Bowl on his next run and was given a rating of 170.
But he disappointed in third beaten 13 lengths by Envoi Allen when sent off 8-11 fav for his return at Down Royal last November.
Punters noticed he looked 'nothing like' the horse that won the same race - the Ladbrokes Champion Chase - 12 months before.
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After missing the Irish Gold Cup Elliott had indicated they might look to get run over hurdles for Gerri Colombe before going to Cheltenham.
That seemed a bizarre idea for a bona fide 3m chaser to prepare for a Gold Cup.
But now connections, who also have the likes of Stayers Hurdle fav Teahupoo among their ranks, will only be thinking of 2026.
Coral's David Stevens said: "Gerri Colombe was the rival who got closest to Galopin Des Champs in last year's Gold Cup, so the news he won't be taking him on again in this year's renewal has seen the reigning champion shorten further at the head of the betting."
Gold Cup odds via Coral
4-7 Galopin Des Champs
5-1 Fact To File
7-1 Banbridge
16-1 Corbetts Cross, Grey Dawning, L’Homme Presse, Monty’s Star
20-1 Grangeclare West
33-1 Embassy Gardens
40-1 Bar
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