Gerri Colombe to miss King George VI Chase and face Galopin Des Champs

Gerri Colombe will miss the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and is instead set to face Cheltenham Gold Cup winner at Leopardstown two days later.

Trainer Gordon Elliott will saddle Geri Colombe, who is second favourite behind the 2023 victor for next year’s Gold Cup, in the Savills Chase.

Elliott said his horse would miss the Kempton race as the ground had dried out too much for him.

Opponents could include Fastorslow, who beat Galopin Des Champs last time.

Gerri Colombe has won nine of his 10 races, including the Champion Chase at Down Royal last month.

“He’s been in great form since Down Royal and it was always our intention to run him at Christmas before freshening him up for the Gold Cup,” Elliott told the Racing Post.