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Is Gerri Colombe a future Gold Cup contender? - Andy Gibson's Eyecatchers Service reflects

Gerri Colombe ridden by jockey Davy Russell clear a fence on their way to winning the Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices' Chase

Spotting winning and losing efforts that may be underestimated or overvalued in the future can be key. Andy Gibson has cast his expert eye over a few such recent performances at the Aintree festival.

There is usually more upside to noting an interesting performance when you believe the majority are more likely to have missed it. 

Andy's Eyecatchers Service considers horses that may go under the radar for many, some obvious ones, and a few interesting performances from horses he may be keen to oppose on another day.
Below are his notes regarding a selection of horses that caught his eye on the second day of the recent Grand National meeting at Aintree

Gerri Colombe

The injection of pace from the Skelton mare from the first fence down the far side was a big help for the winner.

It helped turn this race into more of a staying contest which worked in favour of Gerri Colombe and against the claims of his closest market rival. The form of this race is not strong and, at the same time, the winner travelled and jumped in a much smoother manner than he had at Cheltenham.

It was good to see Davy Russell finish with a grade one winner whilst it is also important not to get too carried away with the quality of a race where the one-paced plodder Complete Unknown managed to stay on into the runner-up spot.
Despite the post-race comments about this winner being a definite Gold Cup horse, the truth is although he may be a Gold Cup contender, he also has a long way to go based on the quality of this effort.

Fennor Cross

After enjoying a near-perfect trip round Fennor Cross eventually ran out a comfortable winner and I doubt the four pounds he has been raised does full justice to his superiority.

He could be interesting again next spring and so it will be fascinating to see how he is campaigned next season in the lead-up to March and April.

Sonigino

Sonigino was in the last position travelling well on the inside rail with a circuit to go. He has not enjoyed the best of trips and has probably done extremely well to finish so close at the line.

He certainly made up a tremendous amount of ground on those to finish in and around him. He continued to close right up to the winning line and looks worth marking up over this distance next season.

No Ordinary Joe

No Ordinary Joe endured a tough trip round and can be marked up on his finishing position. He was short of room and/or hampered around the home bend on both laps of the track and he did not always jump with fluency.

He had to be switched to make his move and his last hurdle mistake was the icing on the cake. It may be worth remembering that his connections supported him down to here.

Good Risk At All

Good Risk At All is a horse that requires very soft ground if not extremely testing going. I made an error backing him, not because he did not finish in the four, but because this was never going to happen on the prevailing ground.

Lesson learned and I won't jump in so quickly next time!

He remains a very exciting horse to keep onside for a mud bath. The fly in that ointment will come in the likely event of them switching codes with him before taking advantage of his lenient hurdles mark.
READ MORE: Andy Gibson's Eyecatchers: Marie's Rock, Good Time Jonny and four others to follow

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