Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 4m 48.45s

And The New³³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 119| C

18/1

One-time useful 2m4f winning hurdler who proved plenty of ability remains when hitting frame twice over fences for present yard last summer. Struggled in class 2 company at Wetherby (15f) over Christmas though, and fared no better returned to calmer waters at Southwell in January.

Form: 33259P

Ecume Atlantique¹¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 118| D

4/1

Fairly useful at best in France and made light of 15-month absence to score on return for new yard at Wetherby (19.4f) 12 months ago. Not disgraced when fourth at Bangor 18 days later but he did run poorly back from 7 months off at Hereford in November. Absent again since.

Form: 4PP/14-P

Hawthorn Cottage^b,t³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 117| CD

4/1

Course winner who added third small-field chase success to her tally on return at Warwick (20f) in November. Well held at Cheltenham the following month but more like it when fourth over 3m here 5 weeks ago. 2 lb lower now returned to this shorter trip.

Form: 524-194

Mongol Emperor^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 113

6/5

Dual hurdles winner but has yet to reach that level over fences, ridden between 5 and 4 out and never landing a blow when fourth in 6-runner Wincanton handicap (15.7f) 4 weeks ago. Handicapper has given him a chance if he can step up returned to this longer trip.

Form: 4-74434

Twotwothree²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: S Allwood| OR: 103| DWS

11/2

Three-time winner over fences for Oliver Greenall. Low-key return/yard debut effort at Southwell in November but more like it when fourth over 2m at Hereford 26 days ago. Had wind op subsequently and not out of things from this mark if building on latest effort.

Form: F243-P4

Est Illic^p³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: S-J Davies| OR: 103| C

22/1

Dual handicap chase winner (including at this venue) during 2020/21 campaign. Essentially disappointing last term though and he fared no better on return from much-reduced mark at Ffos Las (2m) in January.

Form: 6/P46P-7

Forecasts

Mongol Emperor (6/5), Hawthorn Cottage (4/1), Ecume Atlantique (4/1), Twotwothree (11/2), And The New (18/1), Est Illic (22/1)

HAWTHORN COTTAGE took a step back in the right direction when fourth over 3m on her latest outing here 5 weeks ago, and with the drop in trip holding no fears, she could be the answer from a 2 lb lower mark. Mongol Emperor and Twotwothree head up the dangers in what rates a decidedly tricky contest.