Betfair Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 6m 50.24s

Grey Dawning⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 166| C

1/1

Likeable and top-class chaser who returned with an impressive success in 5-runner Betfair Chase at Haydock (25.6f, good to soft) in November, always going well and just shaken up to go 2¾ lengths clear of Royale Pagaille. The 2024 Golden Miller winner looks the one to beat back here.

Form: 3/2P12-1

L'Homme Presse⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 162| CD

4/1

Lightly raced in recent seasons but took this prize 12 months ago and showed he is still a high-class chaser when resuming with a good second of 9 in 3m2f handicap here last month. Goes really well at Cheltenham and is very much one to consider in his follow-up bid.

Form: 24/31P-2

Flooring Porter^t⁴⁸⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 162| CD

8/1

Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner at Cheltenham. Has come relatively late to fences but still showed smart form when a ready victor of 3m handicap chase at Listowel 16 months ago. Off since though and this is a very tough ask on his comeback.

Form: 3325/51-

Spillane's Tower²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: J J Mangan| OR: 164| D

11/4

Grade 1-winning novice chaser who showed top-class form in November 2024 when runner-up in the John Durkan at Punchestown. Campaigned sparingly since and posted a creditable third in 2m3f conditions hurdle there 24 days ago. No surprise to see him take a sizeable step forward back chasing.

Form: 1/252-93

Forecasts

Grey Dawning (1/1), Spillane's Tower (11/4), L'Homme Presse (4/1), Flooring Porter (8/1)

GREY DAWNING returned in some style when a facile winner of Haydock's Betfair Chase and this course scorer can further enhance his Gold Cup claims by taking this prestigious Grade 2. Last year's victor L'Homme Presse has an excellent record round here though and should ensure Dan Skelton's likeable grey doesn't have things all his own way, while Irish challenger Spillane's Tower shouldn't be underestimated either back in this sphere.