GERRI Colombe (162+) confirmed himself as one of the leading staying novice chasers of the season with his effortless Grade 1 success at Aintree.

The seven-year-old jumped with accuracy throughout and finished off his race quicker than fellow Grade 1 winner on the afternoon, Pic D’Orhy, who covered half-a-mile less.

There is still ground to make up before the son of Saddler Maker reaches Gold Cup standard, although, in his favour, the seven-year-old has boundless potential. The distance back to Bronn (155) was greater on Merseyside than at Cheltenham.

Pic D’Orhy (149) has improved this season although, on the clock, the eight-year-old ran below what would normally be expected to win this contest. Fakir D’oudairies (145) also disappointed and now looks to find this test insufficient.

Jonbon exhibition

Returning to the novices, on Saturday Jonbon (174) equalled the time figure awarded to his Arkle conqueror El Fabiolo at Cheltenham. An exhibition round of jumping saw Aidan Coleman in cruise control throughout the two-mile contest with the formative stages very quick.

Nicky Henderson expressed the view good ground is a prerequisite for the seven-year-old to be seen at his best over two miles, a theory the clock would support.

A literal reading would suggest the Champion Chase and another clash with El Fabiolo as the most obvious target next season.

However, it is no surprise to see the son of Walk In The Park is shorter in the betting for the Ryanair Chase. To this analyst, the more galloping track used for the Ryanair will suit better than the tighter Old Course as I was not convinced he handled the final bend in the Arkle. The extra half mile would look to be within his compass.

Calico was in the process of running way beyond anything he had achieved previously, demonstrating his proximity to the winner at Warwick in the Kingmaker Chase was fluke. Dan Skelton’s seven-year-old is at his best over two miles on good ground and displays a preference for a flat track.