Gerri Colombe out to maintain his unbeaten record over fences
2.20 Sandown Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase 2m4f Grade 1
STUART REDDING
The contenders
Gerri Colombe has yet to taste defeat under rules and made it 2-2 over fences in a 2m3½f
Limerick Grade 1 last time out, where he stayed on strongly to beat Adamantly Chosen.
Gordon Elliott’s charge will appreciate further in time but he is clearly effective at this trip and sets a clear standard.
Monmiral has lost both chases so far but he was the best of these over hurdles and only Jonbon and The Real Whacker have beaten him over the larger obstacles.
Thunder Rock finishedclose behind Monmiral at Cheltenham despite some modest jumping and getting outpaced at a crucial stage. It would be no surprise to see those placings reversed.
A few of these are set to take a big step up in grade. Balco Coastal didn’t jump very well on his chase debut at Newbury in November but looked better at Kempton on Boxing Day.
His stablemate Bold Endeavour had little difficulty defying a big weight at Doncaster recently. He is improving rapidly and should be competitive.
Notlongtillmay was impressive when completing a double at Musselburgh last time out but Laura Morgan’s gelding was racing off just 124 that day and this is tougher.
Bowtogreatness has been beaten in two handicap chases and needs a big step up.
Race tactics
Bowtogreatness has contested the lead in both of his chases so far, as has Notlongtillmay.
Bold Endeavour is a potential front-runner but his stablemate Balco Coastal will probably be held up and it is equally hard to see Thunder Rock getting involved in the early skirmishes.
Gerri Colombe and Monmiral will probably track the leaders.
Punting pointers
Notlongtillmay is entered at Musselburgh – the scene of his latest success – and Thunder Rock could go to Wetherby, but jockey bookings suggest the latter is heading here.
Nicky Henderson has won four of the last ten renewals so whatever he runs deserves close attention.
Gordon Elliott is 0-7 at Sandown which is a slight worry for fans of Gerri Colombe.
SATURDAY
en-ie
2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z
2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z
https://racingpost.pressreader.com/article/281809993038920
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