BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 35.10s

Frodon^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 169| C

9/4

Has been in fine form around here in recent times and produced a career best last time. Steps up in trip to trial whether he will be a contender for the Gold Cup and has run okay at around 3m before without getting his head in front. Leading claims.

Form: 350-121

Elegant Escape³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 159

2/1

Has won two of his three starts this season since wind surgery and stayed on well to win at Chepstow last time out. Versatile with regards ground and trip but he's never shown his best at this course.

Form: 133-121

Valtor³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 160

6/1

Impressive winner of a Listed Chase at Ascot last time when bolting up by 8L. Extra 2f sure to suit here and will try to take this on his way to a tilt at the Grand National. May have preferred softer ground and Jacob prefers Terrefort though.

Form: 332-671

Terrefort⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158| BF| D

4/1

Hugely disappointing on his Sandown return (Elegant Escape winner) in November when odds-on, making jumping errors. Looked an exciting prospect last season but may have preferred softer ground than what is likely here.

Form: 31121-4

Allysson Monterg^p1,t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: R Hobson| OR: 141

40/1

All three wins have come with heavy in the going description including two chase wins last season. Shown nothing in two starts this campaign and unlikely to get his ground here. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1P31-7P

Minella Rocco^t³⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 155| CWS

11/1

Hasn't won since his Festival success here in 2016 and struggling for form last season. Entitled to need this on return from a significant absence.

Form: U2/4P4F-

Forecasts

Elegant Escape (2/1), Frodon (9/4), Terrefort (4/1), Valtor (6/1), Minella Rocco (11/1), Allysson Monterg (40/1)

FRODON will be looking to make a statement here stepped up in trip with the Gold Cup in just six weeks and he's expected to be hard to beat if he can see out this trip. Elegant Escape needs to prove he's as good around here as elsewhere while the two Henderson runners are respected, with Terrefort narrowly preferred for the places.