14:15 Cheltenham
Saturday 28 January 2017
All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:35
BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase (Grade 2)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 1f 56y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 7 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 6m 41.1s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
High class chaser who has won the Hennessey and the Grand National. Just the one win last year at Kelso and only finished 16th when trying to win a second Grand National. Looked better than ever on his return though when putting in a tremendous display of jumping to win at Aintree around the Mildmay Course and will set the favourite a good test here.
A really good type who has served connections well over the years despite never really appearing to be suited by the demands of Cheltenham. Three runs this season have had the look of one who is just struggling a little to match former glories.
In fine form last year and won this race on his way to an abortive attempt at the Gold Cup (finished sixth). Looked to retain all his old enthusiasm last time out in the Hennessey and wasn't far off his best; deserves respect here.
Needs very little introduction as the rising star of the chasing scene. Winner of the World Hurdle last year he's put in some tremendous performances this year over fences with the best coming in the King George last time out. Can make the odd error but still has plenty of potential and a worthy Gold Cup favourite.
Has won Grade 2 and 3 races in France and showed some potential in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on GB debut. Still plenty to do on these terms though.
Progressive novice last season and ended it on a very positive note when taking a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse. Has returned in good form and showed up well in a Cheltenham handicap last time under a big weight although the tough finish appeared to find him out and this looks a stiff test.
Has run well at Cheltenham but all of that form has come in handicaps and this looks to be a very tough test at the weights.
Forecasts
Thistlecrack (4/9), Smad Place (7/1), Many Clouds (8/1), Kylemore Lough (8/1), Silviniaco Conti (20/1), Perfect Candidate (50/1), Vezelay (66/1)
THISTLECRACK has taken over the jumping scene in the past year with several memorable and scintillating performances. While he is still relatively inexperienced over fences, his display in winning the King George is still fresh in the memory. This looks to be another race that will add to his experience and he ought to be able to handle the opposition that he’s presented with, further justifying his position at the head of the Gold Cup market.
He may well get a stern test, though, from two former Hennessey winners in Many Clouds and Smad Place. The former, a 2015 Grand National winner, looked to be in excellent shape when returning to Aintree, jumping with great fluency from the front and much the same display is expected here. Smad Place took this race last year to project himself into the Gold Cup picture and although he came up short there, he did look as though he was on his way back in this year’s Hennessey.
1. Thistlecrack
2. Many Clouds
3. Smad Place
Prize Money
1st: £56,950.002nd: £21,370.003rd: £10,700.004th: £5,330.005th: £2,680.006th: £1,340.00
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