14:10 Lingfield

Tuesday 15 February 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Ultimate Cheltenham Festival Guide On attheraces.com/cheltenham Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 8m 15.70s

Snuff Box³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 126

13/2

Ended last season with success in a Haydock veterans' event. Added to his tally in fortuitous circumstances at Bangor (3m) last time (left clear at the last) and more on his plate here up 5 lb.

Form: 341-771

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

A Toi Phil³¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 125

16/1

Veteran who ended time with Gordon Elliott with Listowel chase win in 2019. Limited to just 4 subsequent appearances for new connections and latest effort at Kempton was distinctly uninspiring.

Form: 014/4-08

Premier D'troice^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 122

14/1

Fairly useful hurdler who bagged back-to-back 3-runner novice chases last year. Hasn't cut much ice since switched to handicaps, but his mark is on the slide and certainly not one to write off.

Form: 134753

Eclair De Guye^p⁴⁴

5/1

Scored at Huntingdon in December 2020 and reappearance third at Sandown was encouraging. Not in the same form next time, but since undergone a wind op and he'll be a danger to all if on-song.

Form: P12P-37

Game Line^b³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 114| D

11/2

Much improved for this yard in 2021, winning 3 times at up to 29f. Flying too high in a Grade 3 Warwick handicap last time and couldn't rule out down 2 lb back in calmer waters.

Form: 1-1283P

Vinnie Dev^p⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: Noel Williams| OR: 110

10/1

Point winner who made a successful Rules debut over hurdles at Uttoxeter in November 2019. Only seen out 5 times since, though, and last month's chase debut at Southwell was hardly encouraging.

Form: 1367/88

Echo Watt²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 108

15/8

Three-time chase winner who produced by far his best effort of the season so far when third of 15 in the C&D Surrey National (soft) last time. On a good mark and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 4P-5353

Colonel Keating²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: R Rowe| OR: 105| C

13/2

Well on top at the finish when opening Rules account in 23.5f handicap chase here in December. Struggled back here in the Surrey National, though, and significant concerns remain stamina-wise.

Form: P222-18

Non-Runners

The Newest One⁵⁵

Weight: 11-13| Age: 7

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Echo Watt (15/8), The Newest One (4/1), Eclair De Guye (5/1), Game Line (11/2), Snuff Box (13/2), Colonel Keating (13/2), Vinnie Dev (10/1), Premier D'troice (14/1), A Toi Phil (16/1)

Following a low-key start to the season, ECHO WATT returned to form when third in the C&D Surrey National last time, despite the fact that he was 5 lb out of the weights. Able to compete off his correct mark now, the 8-y-o is likely to prove a tough nut to crack. Eclair de Guye and Game Line will be key players if firing on all cylinders, while Premier d'Troice is also worth a second look.