This is a Class 6 handicap over 1m 2f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: This is a wide open handicap and several have chances of landing the spoils. LEONARD THOMAS looks to have the most in hand on today’s terms having slipped down the weights and he should be suited to this longer trip on just his second run for a new yard. He can take this off a fair mark ahead of Hannington who’s been in fine form of late and is likely to relish the fast ground now switched to turf. There are slight ground concerns regarding Fillydelphia who has looked better on softer ground and is worth opposing today.
1 LEAN ON PETE – Finished third of nine last month at Southwell in a Class 6 handicap over 1m 3f. He races off a 3lb lower mark on the turf although he still remains 4lbs higher than his last winning mark and his last run on turf suggested he’s high enough in the weights now. Stall 5 is fine but the stable need to find some form having been quiet of late and he may be worth taking on in this.
2 HANNINGTON – Has improved since switching stables to Michael Appleby’s and he’s placed second on his last two starts. The latest of those came over today’s trip at Chelmsford when held by a comfortable winner and he should fare better here now switched back onto the turf. He’s won on fast ground before and conditions look absolutely ideal for him today so he’s likely to be popular with a 3lb claimer aboard. Respected here.
3 FIRST SUMMER – Completed a double on the All-Weather last summer off marks of 57 and 60. He struggled off higher marks subsequently and has naturally shown more form of late having dropped back down onto marks in the 50’s. He’s one pound lower than his last start which is positive but he’s yet to win on turf and others make more appeal today in these conditions.
4 FILLYDELPHIA – 2 wins from 27 career starts and it’s slightly concerning that both of her successes have come on much softer ground (Good to Soft and Soft). She finished second in a stronger race than this last month off a one pound lower mark and she’s hovering on a fair rating having placed off this mark last summer. She’s better over further so she’s worth taking on today over 1m 2f.
5 I’M SUPER TOO – Tried in cheekpieces for the first time a fortnight ago and that saw him finish fourth of 15, beaten 2 lengths over an extended 7 furlongs. He steps up significantly in trip today which looks like the right move having won over 1m 2f on Good to Firm ground off a mark of 54 last summer. He’s got a chance here in preferable conditions although he hails from a yard that is also quiet of late, without a winner from their last 6 runners.
6 LEONARD THOMAS – His two career successes have come over shorter than today’s trip (7f and a mile) and he’s stepped back up in trip here. He made his first start for Philip Kirby last month having transferred from the Tony Carroll yard and he’s finally beginning to sink through the weights having been rated 63 earlier this year. He’s now 4lbs lower than his last winning mark and Patrick Vaughan’s 3lb claim will help. Respected here and the market should be revealing.
7 OUTLAW TORN – Richard Guest’s 8yo is making his 144th career start today. He’s been out of form this winter with some comfortable defeats although he was only beaten 1 3/4 lengths at Wolverhampton over an extended 1m 1f in March. He’s now 2lbs lower than that mark and William Cox claims 5lbs so he should give his running although he doesn’t look particularly well-treated at present.
8 DIAMOND RUNNER – First run for Lawrence Mullaney today and this is also his first run off a seasonal break. He regressed badly last summer having ended the campaign following a last placed finish, beaten 56 lengths in a Class 6 handicap at Redcar. He’s only 1lb lower here and he’s obviously had some issues to have been kept off the track since then. He can only be watched today although he does wear an eye-shield for the first time.
9 KERRY ICON – Career record of one win from 21 starts and he’s shown good form this year with his last four form figures reading: 2213. He should give his running again today off a 3lb higher mark than when he won in a better race than this and Jamie Gormely takes the ride today in similar conditions. Iain Jardine is without a winner from his last 15 runners which is an obvious concern and others are preferred.
10 MR SUNDOWNER – Sole success came in a 7-furlong handicap at Ayr in September 2015. He recorded one of his career best efforts last time out at Thirsk when second of 15 in a fair handicap for this level and he was only denied by 3/4 of a length. Connor Murtagh retains the ride but these horses are low-grade handicappers and consistency doesn’t feature in his profile so there’s no guarantee he will follow that up.
11 SCENT OF POWER – Broke his maiden tag in a seller last May and he’s been fairly inconsistent since. He’s placed twice on soft ground in poor handicaps and he’s dropped to a near career low mark today and the booking of Lulu Stanford catches the eye. His trainer is without a winner from his last 3 runners and there are far more likely winners of this today.