12:30 Exeter

Friday 26 February 2021

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:16

Kenn Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 5m 6.5s

Striking A Pose⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130

2/7

Irish point winner who has improved by the run over hurdles, suited by step up to 21.4f when making winning handicap debut at Wincanton in December. Very much the one to beat back in a novice.

Form: 1-331

Investment Manager⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard

11/1

€70,000 Nathaniel gelding. Dam 11f-13f winner. Modest in bumpers and looks a long-term project over obstacles.

Form: 6558

Joe Warbrick³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland

300/1

Has looked limited in 3 starts so far.

Form: 000

Liberty Rock²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Miss J Du Plessis

150/1

Libertarian gelding. Dam, maiden hurdler, 1¼m-1½m winner on Flat. Brushed aside in a Chepstow bumper 3 weeks ago.

Form: 46

Manofmanywords⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: J Scott

22/1

Successful twice in points back in March 2019. Minor promise in a brace of novice events at Wincanton and he looks a handicap project.

Form: U211/89

Morpet²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: C J Gray

300/1

Some success in points but very lightly raced under Rules and little to shout about.

Form: 51/U48U

Valentino¹²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Kieron Edgar| T: Miss J Du Plessis

200/1

Big price and always behind in 2m Taunton novice hurdle on debut in October.

Form: 8

Whistleinthedark⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: J Farrelly

14/1

€25,000 foal, €48,000 3-y-o, Fame And Glory gelding. Brother to fairly useful hurdler Young Ted and half-brother to useful hurdler Ice Cool Champs. Placed both starts in Irish points.

Form: 32

Without A Doubt⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott

10/3

Half-brother to useful hurdler/chaser Grandads Horse and fair chaser Solid Strike, stays 3¼m. Very promising start indeed when winning 13-runner bumper at Southwell in December. Has left Philip Hobbs.

Form: 1

Non-Runners

Little Awkward⁷⁴

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: O Sherwood J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Striking A Pose (2/7), Little Awkward (7/4), Without A Doubt (10/3), Investment Manager (11/1), Whistleinthedark (14/1), Manofmanywords (22/1), Liberty Rock (150/1), Valentino (200/1), Morpet (300/1), Joe Warbrick (300/1)

STRIKING A POSE won his sole start in the Irish pointing field and forged clear when making a quick switch to handicaps at Wincanton in December. He ought to take some stopping under a penalty back in a novice. Without A Doubt commands respect in a race lacking depth.