held up, went 2nd after 5 out, hit next, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
led to 5th, chased leader, led again 13th, clear 4 out, mistake next, easily
took keen hold, tracked winner, led 5th, mistake 7th, headed 13th, weakened from 4 out, jumped badly right 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, pushed along and behind 8th, hit 10th, mistake next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
With Baccarat looking a light of former days when returning from a long absence at Catterick last month, this looks a match between News Maker and Extra Cache. The latter was a useful hurdler who got off the mark over fences when staying on strongly over almost a mile-and-a-half at Doncaster in December before being outpaced over the same course and distance on quicker ground the following month. Sure to appreciate the step up in trip, Owen Brennan's charge will prove no pushover but preference is for News Maker. Heathor Dalton's gelding was a convincing 16-length handicap winner off a mark of 106 at Haydock in December and confirmed that he is on the upgrade when narrowly denied off a 15lb higher mark at Uttoxeter next time so should prove hard to beat on this return to novice company.
