Go West At Haydock On Saturday

Buywise landed each way money for us in the big one on Saturday, advised at 18/1. The nap of the day finished like a train for 3rd, but a couple of slow jumps cost him. That has been a recurring theme with the Evan Williams horse, and he will surely put it all together one of these days. It would be no surprise if that day came at the festival in March.

Millanisi Boy ran an absolute stormer for Richard Woollacott at advised odds of 50/1, and you should never underestimate any of his Cheltenham runners. Millanisi Boy was up there all the way, and he travelled strongly like he usually does. He kept on really well in the closing stages for 3rd and, given that it was his first run back of the season, there should be plenty more to come from the strapping son of Kalanisi tthis season.

Millanisi Boy Jumping The Last At Cheltenham.

It shouldn't be too long before Woollacott lands that elusive Prestbury Park winner, and Millanisi Boy might be the horse to do it. Seamus Mullins was another trainer that had one run well at a big price on Saturday, and Song Light was spotted as a potential contender by the eagle eyed Tom Segal. He was backed at fancy odds into 16/1, and he ran a massive race to finish 3rd, beaten less than 2L.

Mullins has another interesting horse entered in the big handicap hurdle at Haydock this Saturday, and I think Western Cape looks overpriced at odds of 25/1. This 5yo son of Westerner cost £84k at the sales, and he has shown on a couple of occasions that he could be well worth the outlay

He was 2nd to Monbeg Notorious in a point to point on debut, before hacking up by 8L in a Southwell bumper (15.5f gd) on his first run under rules at 10/1. He was beaten on his first run over timber at Lingfield (19.5f sft), but he showed his true colours a month later in a novice hurdle at Ascot (21.5f sft). He prevailed by 3.75L from King Kayf, and the 4th and 5th home in that race have gone on to win since.

Western Cape stayed over the same course and distance for his next run, under a penalty in another novice hurdle, and he was no match for the highly rated Hobbs horse Duke Des Champs. However, he finished miles clear of the rest and the 4th home that day (23L behind Western Cape), What A Moment, hacked up in a handicap chase off 127 for David Pipe at Cheltenham last Friday.

Western Cape ran a poor race on his final start of last season, but he made a very pleasing return to action at Worcester last month (23f gd). He ran off a mark of 128 and he just failed to beat Herbert Park in a driving finish, having travelled like the best horse in the race. Herbert Park went close off 132 (7lb higher) next time out, so the 5lb rise for Western Cape looks fair.

He should strip a lot fitter for that return to action, and he will hopefully be cherry ripe for Saturday. Big handicap hurdles like this are more often than not run at a frenetic pace, and that should play into Western Cape's hands. He is a strong traveller and, as he has shown with both his wins, he enjoys big fields. He won't mind what the weather does and, off his new mark of 133, I think he is worth backing each way in the ante-post market for the Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.

STEVOS' SELECTION: HAYDOCK SATURDAY: WESTERN CAPE 25/1 E/W