Events out in Del Mar dominated the weekend racing action, as the California track served up a Breeders’ Cup thriller. However, we also had a clutch of quality contests a little closer to home as two of the most highly rated staying chasers in training made their seasonal returns.
Boasting eight Grade 1 triumphs between them, including a Ladbrokes Champion Chase, an Aintree Bowl, and a King George VI Chase, Gerri Colombe and Bravemansgame headed into the 2023/24 campaign as the flagbearers for their yards. Lining up in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase and the Charlie Hall Chase, these initial tests represented the first steps of potentially lucrative seasons.
Bravemansgame Whacked at Wetherby
With five defeats in as many starts during 2023/24, Bravemansgame had questions to answer as he took his place in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. In fairness to the horse, there were solid efforts amongst those defeats, including runner-up finishes in the Betfair Chase and King George VI Chase. However, a lacklustre 19-length fifth behind Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup suggested his star may be on the wane.
Despite those reservations and the fact that he was beaten at odds-on in the 2023 edition, Bravemansgame started as the warm 11/10F for the seasonal highlight at the Yorkshire venue.
In the end, the mount of Harry Cobden filled the same position as he had 12 months ago. Comfortably clear of four of his five rivals, he had no answer for a sizzling display from the back-to-form The Real Whacker.
Charlie Hall Chase 2024 Full Result
| Pos. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | The Real Whacker | Patrick Neville | Brian Hughes | 5/1 |
| 2nd | Bravemansgame | Paul Nicholls | Harry Cobden | 11/10 |
| 3rd | Sam Brown | Anthony Honeyball | Rex Dingle | 25/1 |
| 4th | Hang In There | Emma Lavelle | Joe Anderson | 10/1 |
| 5th | Conflated | Gordon Elliott | Danny Gilligan | 7/2 |
| 6th | French Dynamite | Mouse Morris | Sean Flanagan | 8/1 |
Following a blistering 2022/23 season, culminating in a thrilling verdict over Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, this Patrick Neville-trained eight-year-old endured a torrid 2023/24 campaign; pulled up in two of his five outings, his best effort saw him finish second in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase. Having unseated his rider on his return in the Kerry National, it took a leap of faith to see him claim this prize.
However, granted an easy lead by his rivals and back on his favoured good ground, the mount of Brian Hughes jumped them all into submission. Based nearby in Middleham, at a yard owned by Sally (niece of Charlie) Hall, this front-running masterclass understandably raised the roof.
Long thought of a potential Gold Cup horse, The Real Whacker only made it as far as the second last in the 2023 edition. This display has reignited those Cheltenham Festival dreams. Where Bravemansgame goes from here remains to be seen. Whilst it is never wise to write off a runner from the Paul Nicholls yard, he’s now 10 years old, and the evidence is stacking up that his best years are behind him.
Gerri Defeated at Down Royal
Best of the rest behind Gallopin Des Champs in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup and last sighted landing the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl, Gerri Colombe looked tough to beat in the defence of his Ladbrokes Chase crown. Not that he would have it all his own way, with King George champ Hewick and the 2022 winner of this, Envoi Allen, lying in wait.
Despite the calibre of opposition, Gerri Colombe started as the 8/11F, with the red-hot form of Gordon Elliott inspiring confidence. However, whilst many others at Cullentra House are at the top of their game, Gerri Colombe is not.
Ladbrokes Champion Chase 2024 Full Result
| Pos. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Envoi Allen | Henry De Bromhead | Darragh O’Keeffe | 3/1 |
| 2nd | Hewick | John Joseph Hanlon | Jordan Gainford | 4/1 |
| 3rd | Gerri Colombe | Gordon Elliott | Sam Ewing | 8/11 |
| 4th | Visionarian | Gavin Cromwell | Keith Donoghue | 28/1 |
| 5th | Delta Work | Gordon Elliott | Donagh Meyler | 28/1 |
It was no surprise to see Sam Ewing settle the market leader off the pace in the early stages. Renowned for his bottomless stamina, Gerri Colombe invariably comes with a late charge. Those tactics were brilliantly illustrated in the 2023 edition of this, with his late thrust proving too much for Envoi Allen in the shadow of the post.
This year’s renewal bore a striking resemblance to the 2023 edition, with Envoi Allen retaining the lead, having battered the last fence. The major difference was Gerri Colombe’s effort in the straight. Relentless in 2023, he appeared to hit a brick wall this time to trail home 13 lengths adrift in third. Envoi Allen still had long-time leader Hewick to contend with but just held on from the rallying Shark Hanlon runner. This was a fine display from the winner, who bagged his ninth Grade 1 success and may renew rivalry with Hewick in the King George.
Whilst Bravemansgame appears to have a mountain to climb to get back to his best, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see Gerri Colombe back in the Winner’s Enclosure this season.
Two years younger than the Nicholls runner, the five-time Grade 1 winner is still in his peak years and may have needed the outing. Harking back to last season, many wrote off his Gold Cup claims following a 23-length thrashing in the Irish version of the race. Fast forward to the big one, and he went down by only three and a half lengths despite suffering interference in the straight. If there is a horse to dethrone Gallopin Des Champ, he remains one of the most likely.
