As well as a recognised Gold Cup Trial in the Betfair Chase, Haydock’s Saturday card also features the Grade 3 Fixed Brush Hurdle. This race has been won by some very useful sorts in its 8-year history, notably Halcon Genelardais, Grands Crus and Dynaste.
The last two of those were trained by the in-form David Pipe who saddled a four-timer at Cheltenham on Sunday paying over 5,000-1. His representative this year is a full-brother to Grands Crus in the useful Gevrey Chambertin.
The grey was heavily backed to win the Martin Pipe Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival in March but was never travelling and was eventually pulled up. He reappeared at Aintree but again weakened quickly in the home straight in the race won by At Fishers Cross. It may well be that he can bounce back to form here but it doesn’t look a risk worth taking at 7-1.
Paul Nicholls had to endure a frustrating weekend at Cheltenham last week with only one winner to show for his troubles. He looked sure to collect with Sametegal in the Greatwood Hurdle and again when Salubrious and Southfield Theatre battled out the finish of the staying handicap hurdle. Both were passed late on but the latter lost nothing in defeat and could turn out again here off the same mark. He travelled well throughout the race and makes plenty of appeal at the current prices.
Another I like here is Lucinda Russell’s Lie Forrit who returned to something like his best at Wetherby recently. He was a decent staying hurdler back in 2009 and won off a mark a few pounds higher than he is set to race off on Saturday. He made the running at Wetherby and, not surprisingly for a horse that had been over fences, he ballooned a couple of the early flights. He warmed to his task as the race went on and should run well again this weekend.
Alan King likes to get one ready for this and it would be no surprise to see Two Rockers run well whilst Gullinbursti is tough and comes from another in-form yard, that of Emma Lavelle. Trustan Times ran well last time but has a lot of weight to carry and Ely Brown is useful but would probably like it softer.
Southfield Theatre (each-way) 11-1 888Sport
Lie Forrit (each-way) 14-1 William Hill, Stan James
