COTSWOLDS CHASE
Saturday 28th January, 1:20pm
Protektorat @ 13/8
Noble Yeats @ 2/1
Frodon @ 15/2
Ahoy Senor @ 15/2
Sounds Russian @ 17/2
Dusart @ 12/1
view odds
*prices correct at time of writing.
Henry Beesley: Cornelius, what a day we have in store at HQ.
Cornelius Lysaght: Losing Ascot and the other jumping last weekend means that this day has gained extra status and relevance. Not only has the Clarence House Chase joined the card, but the building up towards the big spring festivals which would normally be well and truly underway by now, but which has taken its time to get into full swing this year, at least partly because of the weather, has a chance to hit top gear.
It should be noted that over the years result after result has proved a good pointer towards the Festival with the Cleeve Hurdle proving a particularly effective trial in terms of winners and those that have run well.
HB: The rearranged Clarence House looks an absolute cracker. Which way do you see it going?
CL: Energueme was really impressive at Cork before Christmas and there’s every chance that he is better than ever, which he may have to be because Edwardstone has been consistently under-rated, or certainly not rated as highly as his achievements perhaps deserve.
Ok, things did not go right last time but we can certainly forgive that, and prior to Kempton he made plenty go ‘wow’ when destroying his opponents in the Tingle Creek. Editeur Du Gite relishes the Cheltenham challenge and may go off in front, ensuring a proper race, but better can be expected from Funambule Sivola compared to their Kempton encounter (in which Edwardstone and his rider parted company).
Henry Beesley: Gelino Bello looks a fascinating contender in the Cleeve Hurdle. I’m looking forward to seeing him back over Hurdles in what looks an open division.
Cornelius Lysaght: Funny you should say that – I was in the Luck on Sunday studio last weekend when Paul Nicholls came up on a Zoom and said that he felt Gelino Bello hasn’t really adapted well enough to fences – and he fell at Kempton – so the team reverting back over Hurdles might suit so they’re having a crack at this.
While he implied it might act as a confidence booster, Nick, Harry Skelton and I in the studio were all thinking about how he did the same kind of thing with horses like Big Buck’s in particular and they never looked back. Is Gelino the latest? He will certainly get any credentials tested, by Dashel Drasher who has some very solid form in the book, and the truly great Paisley Park who goes for a fourth success on the trot.
I’ve known Emma Lavelle since before she started training, and while she always keeps her a feet on the ground, her enthusiasm for Paisley at the moment is particularly striking and noteworthy.
Protektorat comes here as the Gold Cup third and as the runaway winner of an important and significant trial at Haydock
HB: The Cotswolds Chase looks a cracking renewal with Noble Yeats locking horns with Protektorat. I’m surprised the latter is going off favourite here…
CL: You’d have Noble Yeats over Protektorat? I can see where you are coming from – it was impossible not to be impressed by last season’s Grand National winner back at Aintree for the Many Clouds Chase and that turn of acceleration but might he be best-suited by a flatter track?
Protektorat comes here as the Gold Cup third and as the runaway winner of an important and usually significant trial at Haydock and as the latest big Saturday runner from an in-form stable so that’s what the market setters have highest in their minds.
This race also represents a potential ‘Gold Cup day’ for one or two like Sounds Russian who remains relatively unexposed and put in what may well turn out to have been a fine effort trying to concede a big weight to an upwardly mobile horse in the Rowland Meyrick. Ahoy Senor has much to prove but it would not be a major surprise if he came good again.
HB: Of anything else on the card, Delta Work reappears in the Cross Country Chase…
CL: Of course, much of the interest will revolve around Delta Work as the reigning champion but also as a versatile, quality performer at Cheltenham whether in conventional chases or over hurdles – and there’s the Grand National third behind Noble Yeats to take into account as well.
Those qualities are reflected in his odds, and I’m really interested in Back On The Lash. Ok the stable is not flying, but a third over a bit too short a distance at Cheltenham in November and a terrific hurdles effort at Worcester in September have demonstrated that the horse, part owned by Harry Redknapp and a Cross Country winner at Cheltenham in 2021, remains a live force and he should go well.
Also, I have to mention Minella Times. The 2021 Grand National hero could well be suited by the unique test of the Cross Country track despite the burden of join-top weight.
Anyway, enjoy a brilliant day of racing and good luck with whatever you fancy!
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