Needs Must returns Elliott to winner’s enclosure In-form trainer Gordon Elliott ended a minorly frustrating run of luck with success in Fairyhouse’s William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle today, scoring with Needs Must (15/8) under jockey Jack Kennedy. Elliott, who cleaned up over Christmas, had sent out eight runner-up finishers since his previous success at Clonmel last Thursday and today resumed winning ways with Needs Must . Today’s race was confined to horses who had run at least twice but hadn’t placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th previously, with Needs Must arriving with form-figures of ‘777’. Carrying the colours of J.P. McManus’ daughter-in-law Ann Marie McManus, the winning son of Westerner travelled well and was eventually ridden out to score by 3.25 lengths from Pat’s Legacy . Elliott reported “He had a good run the last day and we thought he had a good chance. He’s a nice horse and Jack said he’d probably be better in a better race. “He travelled well and I loved the way he jumped. He quickened to the front, and then he kind of pulled up when he got there. It was good though. The handicapper can’t do much to him off 108 and it was the right race for him.” Quotes from Gary Carson
