Ok. Pulled the bowl, cleaned bowl and passages, and bolt passages, installed filter and away she goes. Cut my front yard, including several restarts. Started first pull every time. Moral of the story, don't forget to clear out those passages in the bowl bolt, and watch out for auto throttle/choke blocking the starting fluid. I was opening the choke and spraying into the filter. Next time, remove filter, open choke and throttle plate to spray.
This mower is intended to go to my niece, so I'm not declaring it done yet. I'll at least use it for my yard for a couple of weeks. Manufacture date of 2021, runs great, starts great(unless it doesn't) so once it's sorted, it should work well for her.
Thanks once again.