*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Gold Cup contenders Noble Yeats and Protektorat will be on show in the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.
The Grand National hero and Betfair Chase winner are among the field of six runners in Saturday’s 14:25, which takes place over the track and trip for March’s Blue Riband.
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2019 Cotswold Chase winner Frodon is also in the mix, Ahoy Senor bids to bounce back from three disappointing runs this term, while progressive pair Dusart and Sounds Russian complete the lineup.
Paddy Power Cotswold Chase odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.
Paddy Power Cotswold Chase runners
Frodon
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Bryony Frost Age: 11 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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).
**
Noble Yeats
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
****
Protektorat
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
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.
*****
Ahoy Senor
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 8 Weight: 11st 7lbs
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.
***
Dusart
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: James Bowen Age: 8 Weight: 11st 4lbs
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.
***
Sounds Russian
Trainer: Ruth Jefferson Jockey: Sean Quinlan Age: 8 Weight: 11st 4lbs
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.
***
Paddy Power Cotswold Chase tips
Timeform: 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 Yates 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.
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Clarence House Chase tips and runner-by-runner guide to Cheltenham 1.20 on Saturday
- NAP of the Day: Today’s NAPs Table of horse racing tips across the UK & Ireland