The Cotswold Chase is a Grade 2 run over 3m1½f on the New Course at Cheltenham. This year, the race will be run on Saturday, 24th January at 2:25.
Cotswold Chase Winners, Trends & Stats
The Cotswold Chase has been won by Gold Cup winners See More Business and Native River, as well as Grand National winners Neptune Collonges and Many Clouds.
- 12 of the previous 12 winners were rated 157 or higher
- 10 of the previous 12 winners had at least 1 win over 3 miles or further
- 10 of the previous 12 winners had at least 8 chase starts
- 9 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
- 8 of the previous 12 winners had at least 2 runs that season
- 7 of the previous 12 winners had at least 1 win at Cheltenham
Cotsworld Chase Odds
| Horse | Best Odds |
|---|---|
| Grey Dawning | 4/7 |
| L’Homme Presse | 4/1 |
| Spillane’s Tower | 5/1 |
| Stellar Story | 12/1 |
| Flooring Porter | 16/1 |
Cotswold Chase Runners Guide
FLOORING PORTER
Gavin Cromwell trained an eleven-year-old who will be returning from 486 days off the track. He won the 2021 and 2022 Stayers’ Hurdle before finishing 4th in 2023 and 2nd in 2024. A 4 ¼ length winner of the Kerry National on his latest start meant his record over fences is 2-5, and it will be interesting to see how he performs after a break.
GREY DAWNING
Nine-year-old who went one better than last year when victorious in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on his only start this season. He won the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase in 2024 on this New Course and proved his stamina last time over this distance on good to soft ground at Haydock. He looks the one to beat.
L’HOMME PRESSE
Venetia Williams trained an eleven-year-old who won this race last season, beating Stage Star by less than a length. His Cheltenham form reads 11412, with his two defeats coming in the 2024 Gold Cup and on his only run this season in a handicap when trying to defy a mark of 162.
Midnite
SPILLANE’S TOWER
A two-time Grade 1 winning novice chaser, including over this distance at the Punchestown Festival in 2024. He returned with a close 2nd in the John Durkan Chase behind Fact To File, but has proved slightly disappointing on his subsequent four starts. Both of his runs this season have been over hurdles, and it will be interesting to see him back over fences on his first start at Cheltenham.
STELLAR STORY
Gordon Elliott trained a nine-year-old who beat The Jukebox Man in the 2024 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and finished 2nd in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase last season on his only two visits to Cheltenham. He was beaten 14 lengths by Grey Dawning in the Betfair Chase before finishing 8th last time in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown. He looks a strong stayer who should relish the return to this course.
Cotswold Chase Trainer & Jockeys To Watch
Only Venetia Williams, out of the five trainers with entries, has won this race previously, and it is likely that Charlie Deutsch will be the only jockey to have ridden the winner of the race. Both combined to win with L’Homme Presse last season.
Cotsworld Chase Tips
It is always a risky proposition backing SPILLANE’S TOWER (best priced at 5/1) antepost as connections have decided to miss several engagements previously, but he looks overpriced on his return to chasing. The Jimmy Mangan-trained eight-year-old still has a rating of 163 over fences and will be in receipt of weight from his main market rival Grey Dawning in this race.
Spillane’s Tower has yet to race at Cheltenham in his career, but this would be a good test for him to see whether a run in either the Ryanair Chase or Gold Cup is justifiable later in the season. With plenty of rain forecast this week in the area, he should get his apparent favoured softer ground, and he can get his career back on track.
Recommended Bet: Spillane’s Tower 5/1 - 1pt
