South Shore Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 6m 3.97s

Striking A Pose²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 118| D

11/1

Back-to-back winner of Exeter handicaps last season and encouraging third of 13 on return there in October. However, not so good next 2 starts and he looks risky on the back of his latest display at Wincanton where he was struggling some way out.

Form: 1P8-34P

Geezer Rockstar^t1³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 116| C

10/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner who ran poorly on handicap debut at Sandown in April. Reappearance fifth of 14 in novice hurdle at Carlisle was decent but again followed a good effort with a bad one by misfiring at Wincanton (pulled up). Now tried in a tongue strap.

Form: 4P10-5P

Tiny Tetley⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 111

5/2

Opened his account in a 21.5f Exeter maiden hurdle in February. Bit disappointing in Taunton handicap final start of last term but back on track when runner-up returned to Exeter last month and he merits respect off the same mark here.

Form: 94215-2

Fautinette¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 110

10/1

Fairly useful ex-French winner who got off the mark for current yard at Cartmel in May. Respectable eighth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Dieppe the following month but this demands a clear career-best.

Form: P/43-518

Despereaux^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 105| CD

2/1

Returned to form in first-time cheekpieces when winning weak 7-runner handicap at Ludlow earlier this month. Followed up over this C&D 8 days later and, still feasibly treated up 8 lb, he should make a bold bid to complete the hat-trick. Yard saddled the winner of this race 12 months ago.

Form: 8-83011

Native Moon^p1³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 100

7/2

Signs of promise in maiden/novice hurdles and, though pulled up on handicap debut at Uttoxeter in May, he took a step back in the right direction when runner-up on return/debut for new yard over C&D last month. Likely to give it a good shot in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 6743-P2

Forecasts

Despereaux (2/1), Tiny Tetley (5/2), Native Moon (7/2), Fautinette (10/1), Geezer Rockstar (10/1), Striking A Pose (11/1)

DESPEREAUX is unexposed as a stayer and makes plenty of appeal in his hat-trick bid having made it 2-3 here with a decisive C&D success 18 days ago. Native Moon also has a potential as a stayer and is feared most on the back of his improved second here last month, while Tiny Tetley, who found just one too good at Exeter, is another key player.