Betfair Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 48.12s

Gentlemansgame^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M F Morris| OR: 160

7/2

Landed the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby last November. Without a victory since but he posted a good third of 9 to Galopin Des Champs in Savills Chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, good to soft) 28 days ago. This high-class Irish chaser must enter calculations.

Form: 21P54-3

Stage Star⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 159| C

13/2

A three-time winner here, bagging the Paddy Power Gold Cup last season. Not in same form since though and he came in only seventh of 11 in December Gold Cup here (20.6f, good to soft) 42 days ago. Goes up in trip now with something to prove.

Form: 5/1P5-47

Chantry House^b²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 154| CD

7/1

Took this prize in 2022 and he got back on track after a winless spell over hurdles when landing 5-runner handicap chase over C&D (soft) 24 days ago. No forlorn hope if building on that here.

Form: 4095-51

Delta Work^t⁴³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 151| C| D

22/1

Smart Irish chaser who ended last term with a fine second in Aintree's Grand National. Yet to hit top form this term however, only 11th in Cross Country handicap here (29.2f, good to soft) 37 days ago. Others appeal more on this occasion.

Form: 3662-50

L'Homme Presse³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 163| C

4/5

Top-class chaser. Lightly raced in recent seasons but he came in a good fourth in the Gold Cup here last March. Not discredited on his seasonal return when third of 11 to Banbridge in King George VI Chase at Kempton 30 days ago. Holds leading form claims.

Form: 1U/124-3

Tommie Beau⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 142| D

80/1

Landed 3 of his first 4 starts at Cartmel this term but below par of late and only fifth of 6 in conditions event at Windsor (22.2f) 6 days ago. This is a very difficult ask.

Form: 123PP5

Forecasts

L'Homme Presse (4/5), Gentlemansgame (7/2), Stage Star (13/2), Chantry House (7/1), Delta Work (22/1), Tommie Beau (80/1)

By no means a vintage renewal of the Cotswold Chase and L'HOMME PRESSE looks to have been found an excellent opportunity to get back to winning ways on the back of his solid third in Kempton's King George VI Chase. Irish-challenger Gentlemansgame appeals as the main danger to Venetia Williams' top-class chaser with 2022 victor Chantry House no forlorn hope if building on his recent C&D handicap success.