jumped well, made all, clear after 3rd, unchallenged
chased leaders out wide, plugged on into 2nd no chance with winner
chased leaders on inside, lost place before 4th, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 6th, went 2nd before 3 out until weakened run-in
raced out wide, chased (clear) winner until after 3rd, 2nd again before next until 6th, chased leaders, plugged on in 3rd run-in
raced keenly in rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off, hung left-handed at the last and unseated rider soon after
rear-division, pushed along in 6th before 3 out, kept on into never nearer 4th run-in
chased leaders hit 2nd, went 2nd after next until before 4th, went 2nd again 6th until pushed along before 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
STRIKING A POSE is on a steep upward curve judged on his facile victory in a handicap at Wincanton in December. He carries a penalty back in novice company but should have too much for Little Awkward, who opposes on level terms having only won a maiden at Plumpton which hasn’t worked out. Bumper winner Without A Doubt makes more appeal than former pointer Whistleinthedark over this trip.
Striking A Pose (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Waited with in mid-division, headway out wide before 4 out, challenged going well 2 out, soon 2nd, led between last 2, clear run-in, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Hugos Other Horse (11-12) by 8 1/2l, 13 ran.
Investment Manager 12-1 (11-0) Led until jinked right headed and lost place 1st, soon recovered chasing leader, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Beauport (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) sft in Jan.
Joe Warbrick 300-1 (11-4) Close up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 15th of 18, dist behind Patroclus (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Liberty Rock (IRE) 80-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, outpaced over 4f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 26 1/4l behind Super Six (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (5) hvy in Feb.
Manofmanywords 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, lost place after 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, 9th of 14, 29l behind Longshanks (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Feb.
Morpet 250-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, keen early, headway before 5th, weakened well before 3 out, swerved left and unseated rider 2 out, at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Feb.
Valentino 50-1 (10-12) Raced greenly in rear, slow 3rd, mistake 4th and given reminders, pushed along from 5th, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Isolate (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gf in Oct.
Whistleinthedark (IRE) (12-2) Chsd ldrs in 3rd, slw 8th, cl 2nd aftr 4out & chall brfly bef 3out, 2 1/2l 2nd & no ch with wnr from 2out, ko, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Diakosaint (12-2) at Kinsale 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Without A Doubt 16-1 (11-4) Prominent, niggled along to lead over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong under a drive, ran on towards finish, won at Southwell 2m (5) gs in Dec beating Ripper Roo (11-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Little Awkward (FR) 16-5 (11-0) Made all, drew clear after 3 out, canter, won at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Mountain Leopard (11-0) by 12l, 7 ran.
