First Furnishings' Front Runners Handicap

Off time: 10:31 | Winning time: 3m 3.44s

(3)

Leonato³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jack Callan⁽³⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 72

11/1

Proved to be a disappointment switched to turf when fourth of 6 in maiden at Chepstow (1¼m, good) just over 5 weeks ago. Plenty of stamina in his pedigree and much better expected now handicapping upped to 1¾m.

Form: 9-34

(4)

Kelly Burn²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Cieren Fallon| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 69| BF

9/4

Off the mark taking on her elders in a handicap for the first time at Wolverhampton last month, doing well given she raced freely. A bit underwhelming at Ffos Las earlier in the month but some of her handicap form reads very well and she's not one to give up on now upped to 1¾m.

Form: 9-35215

(2)

Mountbatten⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S Donohoe| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 60

4/5

Didn't figure in 3 all-weather outings in December but improved as expected for the 4f longer trip to make a mockery of his opening handicap mark on return from 6 months off in 6-runner event at Southwell (1½m) last week. Makes turf bow and he's very much the type to run up a sequence.

Form: 877-1

(1)

Queen Of Astolat¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Saffie Osborne| T: C Fellowes| OR: 57

9/2

Took a step forward when third of 8 in handicap at this course (11.5f, soft) just over a fortnight ago, keeping on when forced to switch final 1f. Upped in trip and that needs to elicit further improvement.

Form: 578-63

Forecasts

Mountbatten (4/5), Kelly Burn (9/4), Queen Of Astolat (9/2), Leonato (11/1)

MOUNTBATTEN made a mockery of his opening mark when bolting up at Southwell last week and appealing as the type his shrewd handler can run up a sequence with, he gets the vote on turf debut. Both Kelly Burn and Leonato should appreciate this step up to 1¾m and they can chase home the selection in that order.