Moulton Nurseries Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 1m 33.78s

(3)

Insurgence²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 91

9/2

Very progressive since sent handicapping on AW, winning three of four starts, latest when beating Balletomane over 7f at Kempton last time. Up in trip and back on turf now, but gives the impression there is plenty more to come.

Form: 671-121

(1)

Ode To Autumn^b⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 89| D

9/4

Both wins to date have come over 1m at Newcastle, and progress has flattened out a bit of late, albeit running in higher grade last time when trying 1¼m for first time. Drop in trip could see a revival.

Form: 62-1124

(5)

Barton Mills^h³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Bentley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 87

6/1

Won minor event at Kempton (7f) last year, and creditable efforts on first two starts in 2018, but didn't really travel when tried in a hood at Leicester last time, and stamina for longer trip taken on trust.

Form: 219-357

(2)

Kassar^b¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 86| D

5/2

Won minor event over 1m at Kempton on juvenile bow, and has promised more this year, racing a bit too keenly in first-time blinkers when 1¼L third of 11 to Ibraz in 1m1f handicap at Sandown last time. Should do better.

Form: 16-443

(4)

Protected Guest¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: G G Margarson| OR: 81| CD

5/1

Runner-up on final two-year-old outing at Lingfield, and gelded prior to making a winning handicap debut over C&D. Possibly benefited from racing on best of the ground that day, however, and needs to prove he wasn't flattered.

Form: 702-1

Forecasts

Ode To Autumn (9/4), Kassar (5/2), Insurgence (9/2), Protected Guest (5/1), Barton Mills (6/1)

Trip and ground are slight questions for INSURGENCE, but he's a most progressive handicapper, and makes most appeal as he bids to improve an impressive strike-rate. Kassar didn't settle fully in blinkers last time, but should do better with headgear retained, and is preferred to Ode To Autumn of the others.