Paddy Power '45 Sleeps To Cheltenham' Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 1f 56y | 8 Runners | Turf

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 169

Fine record at Haydock Park and won the Betfair Chase for a third time in 4 years in November. Found only Santini too strong in this last season and can go well again with deep ground ideal.

Form: 34/229-1

Lake View Lad⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: N W Alexander| OR: 162| D

Resumed winning ways in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree (25f) 8 weeks ago, seeing off Santini and Native River with 9 of the 19 fences not jumped. Likeable type but he clearly needs more now.

Form: 3P/533-1

Native River^b⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 168| C| D

2018 Gold Cup winner who added 2 Grade 2s to his tally last term and should have come on plenty for his Aintree return behind Lake View Lad when neither his jumping nor stamina was tested. Respected.

Form: 234/11-3

Santini^p³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 170| CD

Impressive when outstaying Bristol de Mai in this last year before an agonising defeat in the Gold Cup. Not seen to best effect either start this season and a proper test here much more his bag.

Form: 2/112-25

The Conditional^p⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 149| CD

Fine record in the top handicap chases for this yard, winning the Ultima at the Festival and (in cheekpieces) placed in the Ladbrokes Trophy and Silver Cup this term. Plenty to find on these terms.

Form: 1241-32

Yorkhill⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 147| C

Four-time Grade 1 winner (including at 2 Festivals) who turned back the clock in a first-time tongue tie with victory in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. Some feat if he followed up in this.

Form: P4FP-P1

Saint Calvados³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 167| C

Improved again last term, pushing Min close in the Ryanair at the Festival. Didn't seem to stay 3m despite running well in the King George (pulled hard) on return and this will test him even further.

Form: 7/1422-4

Yala Enki⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 161

Tough stayer racing for the third time this month having finished third in the Welsh National before resuming winning ways at Taunton last weekend. Escapes a penalty and will relish conditions.

Form: 13-2F31

Forecasts

Bristol De Mai (5/2), Santini (11/4), Native River (4/1), Saint Calvados (5/1), Yala Enki (12/1), The Conditional (12/1), Lake View Lad (14/1), Yorkhill (33/1)

Last year's winner SANTINI can repeat the feat in a cracking renewal of the Cotswold Chase. He outstayed Bristol de Mai 12 months ago and his run in the King George can be overlooked. Native River was behind the selection in the very unsatisfactory Aintree race won by Lake View Lad and the 2018 Gold Cup hero is expected to fare a lot better now.