Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 35.96s

Frodon^t³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 162| CD

14/1

Thoroughly likeable sort who defied top weight in a handicap for the fifth time in his career in Badger Beer at Wincanton on return. Went with his customary enthusiasm when third in the King George last month but the veteran of the party could be up against it today (won this in 2019).

Form: 470-133

Noble Yeats⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: E Mullins| OR: 167| D

11/4

Top-class Irish chaser who landed the Grand National at Aintree last April. Back on track with easy success in listed event at Wexford in October and was better than ever returned to the scene of his finest hour when following up in Many Clouds 8 weeks ago. Serious chance.

Form: 291-P11

Protektorat^t⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 170| C| D

5/4

Expertly trained to gain a second Grade 1 success of his career in Betfair Chase on return (had another breathing operation in interim) at Haydock (25.6f, good to soft) 10 weeks ago. Will be tough to beat if he's in anything like the same form today.

Form: 1/2134-1

Ahoy Senor³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 161| D

13/2

High-class chaser last term but has found the transition from top novice to contender at the highest level a bit of a struggle this season, unable to land any sort of blow in the King George VI Chase last month. Leaves him with a bit to prove at present.

Form: 121-535

Dusart⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 155| BF

12/1

Highly promising novice hurdler during 2020/21 campaign and quickly made up into a very smart performer over fences last season, winning 3 of his 4 starts in that sphere. Presumably had a pipe-opener over hurdles here last month and has to be taken seriously back over fences today.

Form: 3/1151-6

Sounds Russian³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 161

8/1

Hasn't looked back since sent over fences, finding further progress to gain fourth success on return at Kelso (26f) in October. Undone in a messy Many Clouds Chase but able to express himself much better back in a bigger-field handicap when runner-up in Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby since.

Form: 112-142

Forecasts

Protektorat (5/4), Noble Yeats (11/4), Ahoy Senor (13/2), Sounds Russian (8/1), Dusart (12/1), Frodon (14/1)

The performance of A Plus Tard obviously took plenty away from the Betfair Chase at Haydock 10 weeks ago but PROTEKTORAT couldn't have been any more impressive that day, sauntering to an 11-length success, and if Dan Skelton's charge arrives in anything like the same form, he will prove tough to beat. Noble Yeats picked up really well to land the Many Clouds at Aintree 8 weeks ago so he looks the obvious threat to the selection, with Dusart third on the list back over fences.