Odds-on Gerri Colombe could take on six including supplemented Hewick in Grade 1 Champion Chase on Saturday

Gerri Colombe is odds-on to land successive Ladbrokes Champion Chase's at Down Royal on Saturday after he stood his ground at Tuesday's confirmation stage.

The eight-year-old defeated Envoi Allen by a neck 12 months ago before finishing runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He finished off his campaign with another Grade 1 triumph at Aintree and is poised to reappear this weekend with entries at Down Royal and in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

,His trainer Gordon Elliott, who also has Conflated, Delta Work and Found A Fifty engaged at this stage, has landed the Grade 1 five times, including with subsequent Gold Cup winner Don Cossack in 2015.

However, Elliott has warned that his stars might miss the Down Royal meeting if conditions are too quick.

Gordon Elliott stable tour (Members' Club):

• 'He's seriously exciting to be going over fences with - he looks like a chaser, he acts like a chaser and he jumps like a chaser'

Hewick: supplemented for the Ladbrokes Champion ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Shark Hanlon has supplemented last season's King George winner Hewick after he revealed earlier this week that he could contest the Down Royal highlight before a tilt at the Betfair Chase next month.

Envoi Allen triumphed at Down Royal in 2022 for Henry de Bromhead and has also been confirmed. He was last seen finishing fourth in the Melling Chase at Aintree having chased home Protektorat in the Ryanair Chase.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Visionarian completes the seven-strong line-up.

Paddy Power have installed Gerri Colombe as the 4-7 favourite with Envoi Allen and Hewick priced up at 10-3 and 5-1.

Ladbrokes Champion Chase (2.40 Down Royal, Saturday)

Paddy Power: 4-7 Gerri Colombe, 10-3 Envoi Allen, 5 Hewick, 7 Conflated, 14 Delta Work, 20 Found A Fifty, Visionarian

Read more:

Shark Hanlon aiming big with two Grade 1 targets for Hewick before six-month ban kicks in 

Gerri Colombe and Brighterdaysahead given Wetherby back-up plan in case conditions are too quick at Down Royal 

Gordon Elliott readies A-list team for Down Royal next week - but trainer warns big guns will not run if ground is too quick

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