Daryl Jacob offers his insight on the Betfair Cotswold Chase and Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday, while we have the Timeform predicted pace maps and free video replays too.
Betfair Cotswold Chase - 14.25 Cheltenham
Timeform Verdict
GREY DAWNING returned in some style when a facile winner of Haydock's Betfair Chase and this course scorer can further enhance his Gold Cup claims by taking this prestigious Grade 2. Last year's victor L'Homme Presse has an excellent record round here though and should ensure Dan Skelton's likeable grey doesn't have things all his own way, while Irish challenger Spillane's Tower shouldn't be underestimated either back in this sphere.
Daryl Jacob Insight
This is an interesting race and while GREY DAWNING can win it, I think it will be much closer than the odds suggest.
It should set up nicely for him with L'Homme Presse likely to make the running, Harry Skelton can take his time and get him into a rhythm, while we know he goes on the softer ground.
They learnt an awful lot from last season and he looked better than ever in the Betfair Chase, so I do expect a victory on his way to the Gold Cup, but he might have to fight for it.
I can't see him winning by 10 lengths. I think it'll be close between him, L'Homme Presse and Spillane's Tower jumping the second last and last, but his class can see him through this test up the hill.
Timeform Pace Prediction
Pace Forecast: Very Weak
Specific Pace Hint: A slowly-run affair seems sure to favour L'HOMME PRESSE rather than GREY DAWNING.
Individual Price Hint: L'HOMME PRESSE traded at 50% or less of his starting Betfair SP when beaten last time out.
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GREY DAWNING - Haydock 22/11/2025
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SPILLANE'S TOWER - Punchestown 31/12/2025
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Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsUnibet Hurdle - 15.00 Cheltenham
Timeform verdict
A fascinating clash between a pair of top-class prospects in SIR GINO and The New Lion. The former made a highly impressive comeback in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and is fancied to strengthen his position at the top of the Champion Hurdle betting.
Daryl Jacob Insight
Harry and Dan Skelton would have had two or three ideas for The New Lion at Newcastle, but making the running like that was probably Plan Z.
That won't be happening on Saturday, but without a natural frontrunner or a pacemaker in there it's difficult to see how this will be run to suit The New Lion.
It could get tactical, but I can see Nico De Boinville going to the front on SIR GINO and dictating. He can be lethal in this scenario and if he rides an ordinary gallop on the front end he's going to have too much pace for these rivals.
I can see him quickening off the home bend and winning the race at that point in the contest.
I don't think the soft ground will be any issue to him, he looks versatile in that regard, I suppose the conditions will make it more of a stamina test to help The New Lion, but considering the tactical set up this could turn into a relative test of speed.
In that scenario, it's all about Sir Gino.
Timeform Pace Prediction
Pace Forecast: Very Weak
Specific Pace Hint: Normally at this trip here those that race towards the rear are the ones to concentrate on but with a steadily-run race in prospect THE NEW LION might not get the run of race whereas SIR GINO probably will.
Individual Price Hint: THE NEW LION hit an in-running low of 25% or less of his starting Betfair SP when beaten last time.
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SIR GINO - Kempton 26/12/2025
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Discover Sporting Life Plus BenefitsTHE NEW LION - Newcastle 29/11/2025
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