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

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 48.88s

Ahoy Senor⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 166| CD

10/1

Top-class chaser at best, as shown when winning this 12 months ago. Well held both starts this season, however, and becoming hard to catch right.

Form: 51F2-PP

Royale Pagaille⁶³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 166

6/1

Claimed the scalp of Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on return but his very best efforts have been reserved for that Lancashire venue so not sure to repeat that form under a penalty.

Form: 55/26F-1

Datsalrightgino⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 159| C

5/1

Ended a good novice chase campaign with a Grade 2 success over 20.5f at Ayr in April. Caught too far back in Old Roan at Aintree on reappearance and raised game significantly up in trip when landing Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. More to come over this distance.

Form: 22P1-81

Stay Away Fay^t⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| C

3/1

Winner of the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March before finishing fourth in another Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree. Has continued progress over fences, making it 2 from 2 in this sphere in Grade 2 novice at Sandown. Not taken lightly stepping out of novice company here.

Form: 1214-11

The Real Whacker³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P Neville| OR: 162| C| D

7/2

Unbeaten in 3 novice chases at Cheltenham last season, culminating with a narrow defeat of Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory at the Festival. Had an excuse (struck into and lame on right-fore) when pulled up in the Paddy Power on reappearance but never on terms in King George since. This easier.

Form: 0111-P4

Capodanno^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160

7/2

High-class chaser. Stepped up on reappearance when good 23 lengths third of 8 to Galopin Des Champs in Savills Chase (80/1) at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy) 30 days ago. Not the most fluent of jumpers but respected back down in class.

Form: 41/3P-63

Forecasts

Stay Away Fay (3/1), Capodanno (7/2), The Real Whacker (7/2), Datsalrightgino (5/1), Royale Pagaille (6/1), Ahoy Senor (10/1)

Claims can be made for all 6 but DATSALRIGHTGINO surely has more to offer over this sort of trip having raised his game significantly to win the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and he's already proven at this level having won a Grade 2 novice at Ayr in the spring. He shades the vote over exciting novice Stay Away Fay and fellow Festival winner The Real Whacker.