tracked leader, led before 11th, clear before 2 out, eased heavily run-in
held up in touch and in rear, reminders halfway, weakened before 11th, tailed off
tracked leaders and mistakes, pushed along and blundered 2 out, no chance with winner
led, headed before 11th, weakened before 13th, soon tailed off
Harrys Whim has already won over fences, at Perth in July. But she wouldn't have been in the same league as I NEED GOLD over hurdles and we expect the latter to make a winning start over the larger obstacles. A sound stayer, he was successful over timber at Catterick and Ayr last season and has already won a point-to-point. Straidnahanna has also won between the flags and, though failing to score over hurdles, has shown plenty of promise under Rules and is worth keeping on the right side.
I Need Gold (IRE) 85-40 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, rallied to regain lead before last, driven out, won at Ayr 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar beating Moonshine Lad (11-10) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Mission Beach (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until before 3rd, last when not fluent 9th, soon behind, tailed off, last of 5, 42l behind Reaping The Reward (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gd in Aug.
Straidnahanna (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division on outside, not fluent 6th, headway before next, challened 8th, led before 4 out, headed and not fluent 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 14l behind Ulzana's Raid (11-6) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Apr.
Harrys Whim 9-1 (11-0) Led, mistake 7th, headed next, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Wakanda (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd, 7 ran.
