A review of the rest of the action at Haydock
A review of the rest of the action at Haydock where Extreme Impact defied a 619-day absence to win the opener.
Last Updated: 18/01/14 5:33pm
Having his first run since May 2012, the Williams-trained eight-year-old was obviously cherry-ripe for his return as he was one of the first off the bridle.
Ugly Bug attempted to make all and looked like holding them all off before Quel Elite loomed up looking the biggest threat.
However, claiming jockey Ring persevered on Extreme Impact and the 22/1 chance fought bravely to win by a neck.
Ring said: "He was very brave, he just kept on finding every time I asked him. He likes that ground. It's heavy but it's perfectly raceable."
Benvolio made just about every yard of the running for trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Daryl Jacob in the G4S Events Graduation Chase.
A faller on his chasing debut, he had been successful at Newbury last time out and was sent off the 11/8 favourite to win again.
Jacob was allowed to set his own pace out in front, but Maggio, who had run over fences at Musselburgh just 24 hours earlier, looked to be travelling much the best at the third-last.
Benvolio pulled out plenty under pressure, though, and won by a length.
"That was very good, he stays well," said Jacob. "Nobody else was going to make it (the running) and we wanted it to be a test of stamina, which was why I went on. I knew once the challengers came he'd keep going and he dug very deep."
Wuff (7/4 joint-favourite) just collared Straidnahanna in the closing Fixed Brush Novices' Hurdle.
Winning jockey Paddy Brennan had earlier ridden a winner at Ascot and flew north to make it a double.