Elliott: No Windsor bid from Gerri Colombe

Gordon Elliott has ruled Gerri Colombe out of Sunday’s Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase at Windsor.

Elliott had made no secret of the fact he had not been particularly happy with last year’s Gold Cup runner-up, but recent noises from Cullentra had been a bit more encouraging.

When his name appeared among the 16 entries on Monday hopes were raised that the nine-year-old was ready to kick-start his season, but Elliott, speaking at Punchestown, feels he is still not quite at concert pitch.

Elliott did, though, raise the possibility of an outing over hurdles before another crack at the Gold Cup in March.

“He won’t run at the weekend, as he’s just not there yet,” said Elliott.

“He’s coming, but we are just not there yet. There is no point in running him until he’s ready.

“The Dublin Racing Festival is only a few weeks away so it will be tight for that, but we’ll see. I’ll have to talk with Brian (Acheson, owner).

“It’s possible we could give him a run somewhere over hurdles.”

Owners Robcour did have three entries in the new Windsor highlight with stablemate Gerri Colombe’s stablemate Fil Dor and Henry de Bromhead’s Journey With Me still possibles.

Also among the 16 entries are Ahoy Senor, Djelo, Pic d’Orhy, Protektorat and Stage Star, together with the intriguing sight of Indiana Dream, now with Jonjo and AJ O’Neill.

He won a maiden hurdle and beginners’ chase for Willie Mullins but has only manged one run in each of the last two seasons.