William Hill Bowl Chase |
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| Grade 1, Aintree 14:55 £250,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 210y, Class 1  |
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1 Gerri Colombe 9/4F
2 Ahoy Senor 17/2
3
Corbetts Cross 10/3
7 ran Distances: ½l, 2¼l, 6l
Time: 6m 51.54s (slow by 39.54s)
WHAT A FINISH! 😮
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) April 11, 2024
Six in a line at the second last but the Boodles Gold Cup second GERRI COLOMBE repels Ahoy Senor to win the @WillHillRacing Bowl! #RandoxGrandNational pic.twitter.com/uw2yPGXNdF
Gerri Colombe delivered an impressive performance, securing second place in the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup and, throughout the final circuit of this Grade 1 race, it seemed that the intense effort might have taken a toll on Gordon Elliott’s star.
Jack Kennedy, riding the winner, wisely tracked the early pace. Positioned in fourth on the inside, they shadowed the frontrunners: Bravemansgame, Ahoy Senor, and Shishkin. Behind them, Gentlemansgame and Thunder Rock maintained their positions, while Corbetts Cross brought up the rear.
As the race unfolded, there were minimal changes to the running order. However, deep into the race, Gerri Colombe made a couple of minor errors on the far side. The eight-year-old needed encouragement away from the fences, including the challenging cross fence four from home.
Approaching the second-to-last obstacle, six contenders remained in the mix. Ahoy Senor and Gerri Colombe surged ahead, leaving their rivals behind. Corbetts Cross, the exception, couldn’t quite match the pace of the front two. Despite being a novice, Corbetts Cross put up a commendable performance, finishing third in his first start since winning the National Hunt Chase.
In a thrilling battle, Gerri Colombe gradually wore down Ahoy Senor. The rail favored the resurgent Gerri Colombe, who had previously triumphed at this meeting the year before. Ultimately, Gerri Colombe prevailed by a narrow half-length margin, showcasing remarkable determination and skill.
Kennedy switched the winner to the outside between three out and two out and when asked to explain that move by Lydia Hislop, interviewing on Racing TV, he replied: "It wasn't happening for him the whole way round, he felt a bit flat, obviously he had a very tough race in the Gold Cup.
"He just didn't travel or jump the way he did in the Gold Cup and the only chance we had was to get him out, get a bit of room and he dug deep. He probably only done what he had to do but just early on I didn't think it was happening so credit to him how tough he is.
"I was hopeful I'd hold on (from Ahoy Senor). My lad was flicking his ears going down to the last and I was confident I had him covered."
William Hill Bowl Chase
£250,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 210y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Soft, Heavy in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Gerri Colombe 8 11-10 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 9/4F
2 ½ Ahoy Senor 9 11-10 Lucinda Russell Derek Fox 17/2
3 2¼ Corbetts Cross 7 11-10 Emmet Mullins Mark Walsh 10/3
4 6 Shishkin 10 11-10 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 5/2
5 1½ Gentlemansgame 8 11-10 M F Morris Darragh O'Keeffe 16/1
6 2¼ Bravemansgame 9 11-10 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 11/1
PU
Thunder Rock 8 11-10 Olly Murphy Sean Bowen 22/1
Betway Bowl - Previous Winners
2023 Shishkin
2022 Clan Des Obeaux
2021 Clan Des Obeaux
2020 ABANDONED due to Covid-19
2019 Kemboy
2018 Might Bite
2017 Tea For Two
2016 Cue Card
2015 Silviniaco Conti
2014 Silviniaco Conti
2013 First Lieutenant, Gigginstown House Stud, Mouse Morris IRE 08-11-07 Bryan Cooper 7/2
2012 Follow The Plan, Redgap Partnership, Oliver McKlernan IRE 09-11-07 Tom Doyle 50/1
2011 Nacarat, Simon W Clarke, Tom George 10-11-07 Paddy Brennan 7/2
