January 28 / 14.25 Cheltenham

14.25

Soft

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

  • Prize money: £67524
  • 3m 1f 56y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
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Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 21-535 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 161

Form & Verdict
Major talent at 3m+ but some of his jumping won't be found in any text books; exhibited both those aspects at the Festival here last March and in Grade 2 at Aintree in December; in the latter he finished just over 3l behind Noble Yeats who gave him 1lb, so he is held on that result, and a lesser show has followed in the King George at Kempton; has a big prize in him when he gets his act together and dictating the pace may help but Frodon won't help him in that regard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Ahoy Senor

12st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Very much the class act in this field but he's become hugely frustrating as a chaser and tailed off (after making the running) when he reverted to hurdles in a Grade 2 at Newbury on latest outing; thrown in if he can even remotely get his act together.

14/1

1

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Ahoy Senor

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

10yo who was underwhelming in the main last season and soundly beaten in the Grade 1 Bowl here in April, having finished runner-up in the previous two runnings of that 3m contest; a longer trip than this would probably be preferable but he's 7lb lower than when a close third in this last year and is well worth a second look in view of his record at this track.

13/2

5th

1

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Ahoy Senor

11st 10lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Comes with some risk having failed to complete in his last three starts (had wind surgery prior to latest); however, comes alive at Aintree and has performed well in this race for the last two years, taking form figures at this meeting to 1122 (gained the wins in Grade 1 novice events over hurdles/fences); big player provided that pattern is sustained.

6/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 12-142 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 161

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive novice chaser last term (gave Dusart a big scare on final start) and he's improved again this season; does not have a huge amount to find with Noble Yeats or Ahoy Senor judged on Aintree result on penultimate start and he's been sticking to his task extremely well, so this stamina test could suit; not the form horse but he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Sounds Russian

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Has shown his best form over fences, notwithstanding a Listed win in this sphere; well behind Gwennie May Boy at Haydock on sole start this season and is bottom of this pack on hurdles figures; enough to prove.

100/1

9

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Sounds Russian

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Has shown his best form over fences, notwithstanding a Listed win in this sphere; well behind Gwennie May Boy at Haydock on sole start this season and is bottom of this pack on hurdles figures; enough to prove.

100/1

5

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Sounds Russian

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Merely fifth of six in this last year when back from an absence and this 10yo returns from some more time off today; however, he was a Grade 2 chase winner in January 2023 and he won a Listed novice hurdle at Perth (3m, soft) last April; in the mix if bringing his best chase form to the table.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 91-P11 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 167

Form & Verdict
Leapt into centre stage with his Grand National win at Aintree (4m2f) last April and on last two outings he has been the clearcut winner of a Listed chase at Wexford (2m7f, heavy) and Grade 2 at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft; Ahoy Senor third and Sounds Russian fourth); emerging as a contender for top Graded-race honours and his stamina suggests he will be well suited to this stiff finish.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

28th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 80y

14:00 Leopardstown

Noble Yeats

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

midfield early, pressed leaders after 4th, lost position and dropped to rear when pushed along briefly after 6th, dropped to last and pushed along after 7th, reminders and struggling after 8th

13/2

6

28th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 80y

14:00 Leopardstown

Noble Yeats

11st 10lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

midfield early, pressed leaders after 4th, lost position and dropped to rear when pushed along briefly after 6th, dropped to last and pushed along after 7th, reminders and struggling after 8th

13/2

19th

1

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Noble Yeats

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emmet Mullins

2022 Grand National winner and fourth in it (again on good to soft) last year when he was hard work from out the back and never got near the leaders; hurdling on last three starts, winning a Grade 2 but coming up well short when the cheekpieces (which had served him well hitherto) were restored at Cheltenham one month ago; just 1lb lower than last year but his strength of stamina will presumably be well served by a slog in the mud.

20/1

Form: 2134-1 C

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 170

Form & Verdict
Runaway winner of Grade 2 at Aintree in December 2021 and he raised his game again with 11l romp in the Grade 1 Betfair at Haydock in November this term, both at about 3m1f on soft; the latter followed his third wind operation; very plucky when third here in the 2022 Gold Cup; the form choice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Protektorat

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

11yo whose last Grade 1 win came in March 2024 but he showed strong form when keeping on for second of four to Jonbon in the Melling Chase here (2m4f, good) 12 months ago and has won at Windsor (2m6f, soft; warm conditions race) and Kelso (extended 2m7f, good to soft; Listed) on his two runs this year; he should still be fine at this sort of trip and could be a contender.

15/2

1st

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:40 Kelso

Protektorat

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Tremendous campaigner who has netted connections over £1m in prize-money; jumped right on occasions but was still firmly on top at finish in valuable conditions chase at Windsor (2m6f, soft) six weeks ago; usually races up with the pace; the clear pick on form and very much the one to beat.

1/8

1st

6

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Protektorat

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Bolted up in this race last year (soft); reappeared with very creditable third off a lofty mark in handicap at Cheltenham (3m3f, soft) in November; wind surgery since; this 11yo holds stand-out claims on today's terms.

8/11

Form: 70-133 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 162

Form & Verdict
Usually front-runs and this race in 2019 was among his six Cheltenham wins; reappearance was easily best effort last season and he again returned with a rousing win this term, in a handicap at Wincanton; not so good since when about 18l third at Haydock (to Protektorat) and Kempton (the King George); thoroughly admirable but probably up against it for win purposes today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

26th Dec 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Kempton

Frodon

11st 10lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

Made all in this race in 2020; fourth in 2021 and third in 2022 (soundly beaten each time); showed last season that he retains considerable spark and he could improve for last month's reappearance third in the Badger Beer at Wincanton, but it's highly likely that this 11yo is vulnerable today.

33/1

3rd

1

11th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

14:25 Wincanton

Frodon

12st 0lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

High-class chaser with an endless list of big-race wins on the board under his perfect partner Bryony Frost, including a heroic success off the very same mark in this 12 months ago; has an outstanding record when fresh and this venue is made for him (2-2); unlikely to relinquish his crown without a fight, especially should conditions dry out.

100/30

9th

1

29th Apr 2023

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

14:15 Sandown

Frodon

12st 0lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

Tremendous front-running chaser down the years, including on testing ground, and ran respectably in major 3m handicap at Kempton most recently; defied top weight at Wincanton (3m1f, good to firm) in November but has never looked like he's crying out for this longer distance; may get outstayed.

14/1

Form: 1151-6 BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
8yo who's had just seven races; about 14l fifth in Grade 1 novice here (3m, soft; 20-1) last March, with Ahoy Senor well ahead in second, but won his other three races last term; had wind and back surgery before this season but underperformed when favourite for handicap hurdle here on return; best days could still be in front of him but he has a fair bit to prove at the moment.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Warwick

Dusart

11st 12lb

J: Mr Tom Chatfeild-Roberts

T: Kelly Morgan

Classy chaser at his best for Nicky Henderson before losing his way, albeit in the face of some tough assignments; current ability hard to gauge having unseated mid-race in a point last month after 12 months off.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.70
Straight Forecast £48.78
Trifecta £139.60

Selections

RP Ratings:

Protektorat

SPOTLIGHT:

Noble Yeats

LAMBOURN:

Dusart

POSTDATA:

Ahoy Senor

WEST COUNTRY:

Frodon

TOPSPEED:

Protektorat

The Times:

Protektorat

Daily Mail:

Protektorat

D Express:

Protektorat

The Sun:

Protektorat

The Star:

Protektorat

Telegraph:

Noble Yeats

The Guardian:

Noble Yeats

Daily Mirror:

Noble Yeats

Daily Record:

Noble Yeats