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GERRI COLOMBE – GRAND NATIONAL 2026 RUNNERS: A TOP-CLASS CHASER WITH STAYING CREDENTIALS
Gerri Colombe returns to the Grand National conversation as a 10-year-old with genuine credentials to prove. Trained by Gordon Elliott for the Robcour partnership, this strong gelding brings a Timeform rating of 162+ to Aintree, suggesting he remains capable of competing at the very highest level.
His recent return to form and previous Grand National experience position him as an interesting contender with the platform to challenge.
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Recent Form and Momentum
The story of Gerri Colombe's recent career is one of encouragement interrupted by setback, followed by renewed promise. After 14 months away from action, he returned at Leopardstown over Christmas and, without much encouragement in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown, pulled up in a sobering re-entry. However, his subsequent efforts have vindicated the patience shown by connections.
In February, he ran with real purpose in the Bobbyjo Chase, an always informative Grand National trial, at Fairyhouse (Grade 3), finishing second by 5.5 lengths to the winner. The Timeform comment noted he was "fully competitive in a finish for the first time since returning," suggesting he was still working back to full fitness but was clearly finding his way back. His performance on good/soft ground indicates he is comfortable across varying conditions.
Most recently, at Down Royal in March, Gerri Colombe won a minor four-runner chase easily by 5 lengths from Roi Mage. More significantly, the Timeform assessment observed he was "essentially always in control after taking over crossing the usual 5 out, winning easily despite an awkward leap at the last." That victory, while modest on paper, suggested the engine was firing again. His demonstrated capability on good/soft ground continues to show consistency.
Pedigree as a High-Class Stayer
Gerri Colombe's record at the very top of the sport cannot be ignored. He has won three Grade 1 chases and has been placed in several others. The 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup was among his best work, finishing second to Galopin Des Champs, one of the top staying chasers of recent years. His subsequent victory in the Aintree William Hill Bowl Chase (Grade 1) demonstrated he is comfortable at the absolute peak of the staying chase division when in form.
A Timeform rating of 183 was recorded in that Gold Cup run—elite company. His profile as a stayer is well-established. He has proven form over 3¼ miles, acts on heavy going, and has the pedigree of a horse bred and developed for this type of test.
At 10 years old, he is not over the hill for the Grand National; indeed, at an age where he remains capable of competing at elite level if fitness permits.
Jumping and Consistency
One of Gerri Colombe's key attributes is his jumping. The Timeform notes consistently flag him as "a notably sound jumper" and "a sound jumper" throughout his career. In a race where mistakes are often costly, this is a significant advantage. His recent victory at Down Royal (despite an awkward leap at the last) and his consistent ability to jump accurately in high-pressure situations mark him as a reliable performer in this regard.
His jumping technique also suggests he is less likely to tire in the closing stages—a critical factor over 4m 2f.
The Complexity of Recent Form
The challenge in assessing Gerri Colombe lies in separating the truly compelling form from the anomalies. His 14-month absence before Christmas was significant; the pull-up at Leopardstown was real. Yet his subsequent performances suggest that absence was necessary rather than indicative of permanent decline. The Bobbyjo Chase second in February indicated he was competitive, finishing 5.5 lengths behind Grangeclare West, who is among the favourites.
The Down Royal win, while against modest opposition, was achieved with purpose and suggests he retains the class to perform at higher levels. The question is whether that trajectory continues and whether he can recapture enough form to prove effective in a Grand National field.
Weight and Tactical Considerations
Gerri Colombe carries a weight befitting his rating, which at 10 years old places him in a reasonable band for the Grand National. He is not overburdened, but nor is he lightly weighted. The race conditions will matter. He acts on heavy going but has demonstrated capability on good/soft ground as well—a ground versatility that is valuable. His tactical profile suggests he is best ridden prominently or close to the pace.
He is a horse who travels well and has the speed to make or dictate play, rather than a come-from-behind type. This suits the Grand National better than many, as it allows him to control his own destiny rather than being reliant on late-run heroics.
Verdict
Gerri Colombe has earned his place among the 2026 Grand National runners on genuine form. The combination of his previous Grand National second place, his Grade 1-winning pedigree, his sound jumping, and his recent return to competitive form makes him a legitimate contender rather than a sentimental entry. The question is not about his ability—his rating of 173 is respectable and his jumping is sound—but rather the question of whether he has fully recaptured the form that made him a serious Gold Cup contender and whether the 14-month absence has left residual effects.
This is a question that time and racing will answer. That said, for those seeking a horse with proven staying credentials, elite jumping technique, and recent evidence of a return to competitive form, Gerri Colombe represents an interesting prospect.
He is unlikely to be the standout story of Aintree, but he carries enough in his favour to be considered among the more interesting runners in the field. His demonstrated capabilities on varying ground (heavy and good/soft) mean conditions will not disadvantage him.
His sound jumping and tactical style position him well for Aintree's demands. Should his recent trajectory continue, he has the platform to run competitively.
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