Elliott keeping ‘all options’ open for National-entered Gerri Colombe

Gerri Colombe could clash with I Am Maximus at Aintree in the spring after his name appeared among 90 entries for this year’s Randox Grand National.

I Am Maximus proved the class act in the field 12 months ago as he gave Willie Mullins his second triumph in the world’s most famous steeplechase, a victory that proved instrumental in handing the Closutton trainer his first British trainers championship.

The defending champion is one of of 10 horses entered for Mullins, whose contingent also contains last week’s emotional Thyestes winner Nick Rockett and general 20-1 chance Minella Cocooner.

However, there could also be a typically-strong Gordon Elliott team descending on Merseyside after he entered 16 of his Cullentra House string in search of Grand National win number four.

Last year’s runner-up and fourth, Delta Work and Galvin are possibles for the man who brought over both Silver Birch and Tiger Roll to score at Aintree, while Gerri Colombe is one of the standout names from the whole list of entrants having won Grade Ones at the Liverpool track in the last two seasons.

“We’re keeping all options open with Gerri Colombe,” said Elliott.

“It’s a race we’ve had success in over the years and we’ve a nice team for it this year, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Another looking to enhance a stellar Grand National record is Lucinda Russell, who after saddling One For Arthur (2017) and Corach Rambler (2023) to win over the famous spruce could now run Apple Away, who was a Grade One winner over hurdles at Aintree in 2023.

“We’ve always thought of her as being a Grand National-type for the future. This year might come a year too early, but the Grand National is an early-closing race for entries and we think it’s worthwhile putting her in there,” said Russell about the Old Gold Racing-owned mare.

“She’ll probably go for the Grand National Trial at Haydock beforehand, and if she were to run really well and win there, then we’d feel foolish if we hadn’t entered her for the big one this season.

“In my mind, I’m still thinking about the Scottish National for her, which would act as a nice stepping stone towards Aintree for next season, but we’ll see where the next couple of months take us. It’s certainly an option.”

Last year’s third and former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo is one of four entries for Henry de Bromhead, while Tom Gibney’s Irish Grand National hero Intense Raffles could attempt to replicate the likes of Bobbyjo, Numbersixvalverde and I Am Maximus by following up a Fairyhouse National success at Aintree.

From a British perspective, Venetia Williams’ L’Homme Presse is an intriguing name fresh from Cotswold Chase glory at Cheltenham, with Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s Iroko and Paul Nicholls’ Coral Gold Cup winner Kandoo Kid both high up in the betting following entries being revealed.

However, the layers are taking no chances on I Am Maximus who is Coral’s 10-1 market leader for back-to-back triumphs.

Spokesman David Stevens said: “Weights for this year’s Grand National will be unveiled next month, but it’s hard to see I Am Maximus being displaced as favourite before then as the nine-year-old bids to repeat his impressive victory in last year’s race.”