tracked leaders in rear, lost place from 4 out
soon with winner, led before 6 out, headed 3 out, one pace
led to before 6 out, led again 3 out, mistake last, ridden run-in, kept on
STRAIDNAHANNA reverts to hurdling having won over fences at Catterick last month. Sue Smith's charge looks the one to beat if running anywhere near his chasing mark given Master Ruffit is conceding 7lb. The latter is penalised for winning a maiden hurdle over 2m4f here in January and is also giving plenty of weight to Irish raider and bumper winner Billy Billy, well beaten in a couple of hurdles races so far this year despite finishing third on both occasions.
Master Ruffit (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 7th, joined 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Bertalus (10-8) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Straidnahanna (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 7th, led before 10th, mistake 12th, headed before 14th, led after 4 out, ridden and kept on gamely under pressure run-in, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Jac The Legend (10-1) by 2l, 9 ran.
Billy Billy (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, closer after 6th, pushed along in 6th bypassing 2 out, soon no impression on principals, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 31 1/2l behind Steamboat Bill (11-2) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hvy in Feb.
