As Gerri Colombe cemented his Gold Cup credentials at Down Royal and the goals flowed in the Stamford Bridge cauldron, I reflect on the weekend’s biggest talking points.
1. The race is on
We have arrived at the final international break of 2023 (thank God) and with just under a third of the season gone, just two points separate the top four.
This time last year as the Premier League paused for the World Cup in Qatar it was Arsenal who found themselves five points to the good in front. There is no runaway leader this time, and while City remain overwhelming favourites, their 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge showed enough chinks in the sky-blue armour to offer encouragement to the chasing pack.
Liverpool head to the Etihad in the early-bird kick-off after the international break, while City visit Tottenham the following week, with Arsenal are due at Anfield before Christmas. Gone seemingly are the days of two-horse title races. We have a big four again and the hectic festive programme should provide plenty of entertainment to light up those cold winter nights.
Manchester City to win the Premier League @ 2/5
2. A “proper horse”
Nicky Henderson knows a good horse when he sees one and his comments about Southoftheborder reveal more than a little excitement.
The five-year-old gelding’s facile victory in a two-mile maiden event at Sandown on Saturday had both Henderson and De Boinville dreaming of bigger targets. Henderson told the Racing Post: “He’ll be a proper horse; we’ve only taken half of the wraps off him. It’s nice because we’ve got a lot of good novices coming out at the moment.”
Next on the agenda could be a Listed contest on Tingle Creek weekend and another eyecatching effort should see him enter the Supreme conversation in earnest.
Southoftheborder to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle @ 25/1
3. Clash of the titans
It is never an easy game at Welford Road and Quins were pushed all the way in a pulsating contest on Saturday afternoon was. A fourth consecutive win for the West-Londoners saw them leapfrog Sale at the top of the table ahead of this weekend’s derby against Saracens.
The boost of having Marcus Smith and Joe Marler back in the fold has added a spring to the Quins step and it was another World Cup returner in Danny Care who was instrumental in setting up Dino Lamb’s try to make the points safe.
For Sarries it was a more straightforward assignment as they breezed past the Falcons. Although they will need to be sharp against the early-season pacesetters if they are to reassert their title credentials at The Stoop.
Saracens to win the Premiership @ 13/10
4. Going for gold
Can Gerri Colombe challenge Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup? On Saturday’s evidence the answer is probably yes.
For a first try outside of Novice company it was certainly a high-class field. There were 16 grade one prizes shared between the field with Envoi Allen a Ryanair winner, Minella Indo a Gold Cup champion and Conflated — a grade 1 performer in his own right and runner of a mighty race behind Galopin in the Gold Cup.
For Gerri Colombe this was a victory full of adversity that demonstrated the range of tools required to challenge in the Cheltenham showpiece. As Envoi Allen charged for the line, it seemed he would be outpaced by the Ryanair winner. Carried wide two from home and victory seemed far from likely, but then came the switch inside and somehow he found the acceleration to get up ahead of the Chevely Park challenger.
There is no magic accelerator button with this horse, but to win under these conditions on his first start outside novice company is worthy of acclaim. He will suit the track at Cheltenham and with the hill and an extra two furlongs to boot, the gauntlet is certainly being thrown down to Galopin.
Gerri Colombe to win the Gold Cup @ 9/2
Lola Katz Roberts is a Content Executive at Fitzdares.
