Greatrex: Carnspindle looks on good mark for handicap debut

4:10 Fontwellbet365 Handicap Hurdle | 2m5½f, 4yo+ | ATR

It has proved profitable to follow the younger brigade in this race as the last two renewals have both been won by five-year-olds. Warren Greatrex saddles the only contender of that age this year in Carnspindle, who looks potentially well treated as she tackles handicaps for the first time.

Carnspindle registered her second win in a novice hurdle at Exeter last time and has been handed a mark of 111, which could well prove lenient for this lightly raced daughter of Ask.

Fellow handicap newcomers Miss Yeats, Land League and Belmont Park - who wears cheekpieces for the first time – all look as if the step up in trip will suit.

Kentford Heiress has two course-and-distance wins to her name but may well be handicapped to the hilt.

Key formline

Prouts Pub beat Ossie’s Dancer four lengths in a handicap hurdle over slightly shorter at the track back in March 2015. Four lengths separated the pair on that occasion with the winner giving 8lb to Ossie's Dancer – the concession is 5lb this time.

One to keep an eye on

Land League ran in nine point-to-points and won on his final start between the flags over three miles before he made his rules debut in January. This half-brother to Drumlee Sunset has run behind some smart horses over hurdles and could improve when sent chasing over longer distances.

What they say

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Carnspindle
She won well last time – she was impressive and looks to be improving. I think the step up in trip will help and I’m not too worried about the ground. She won her bumper in Ireland on good to yielding so I can’t see it being an issue. I was pleasantly surprised when the mark came through when you look at her form.

Laura Mongan, trainer of Miss Yeats
She’s in great form and I’m hoping she’ll find things a little bit easier now handicapping. This is the first time she’ll get really goodish ground, which I think she's always wanted. The step up to this trip should bring about improvement – she’s a relentless galloper. I’m just relieved to get a handicap mark. We’re hopeful.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Land League
It’s our first time in a handicap and I think the better ground will be the key to him. He was a bit keen when we first got him, which is why we ran him over two miles. Everything's in his favour and we’re optimistic.

Martin Smith, trainer of Ossie’s Dancer
The good ground should be ideal as he’s really a summer horse. This winter has been about making sure he'd recovered from his injury and getting a few runs into him. He ran well at the track last time but unfortunately we were second to Prouts Pub, so we’ll have to turn that form around. The ground has come right and we’re hopeful.