Nick Alexander hails 'tremendous' Wakool after claiming Rendlesham glory at Haydock
Alazwar ridden by jockey Hollie Doyle at Haydock
Gallant grey Wakool admirably stuck to his guns to claim top honours in the Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock.
The seven-year-old had previously won six times for Scottish trainer Nick Alexander, steadily climbing the handicap ladder ahead of this Grade Two assignment.
Turning out less than a fortnight after finishing fourth at Musselburgh, Wakool was on and off the bridle at various stages of the extended three-mile contest and rounding the home turn looked booked for minor honours at best, with the strong-travelling Itchy Feet looking the most likely winner.
But Conor O'Farrell never gave up aboard the Alexander runner and his stamina kicked in late on, seeing him get up to beat Itchy Feet by a length and three-quarters, with possible Grand National contender Ashtown Lad best of the rest in third.
"He's been a tremendous horse and he's just kept progressing since his juvenile days and now he's won a Grade Two race, so I'm thrilled," said Alexander.
"He won his first race at Doncaster three years ago over two miles and that was his first handicap, so he's moved up the ranks really nicely.
"I just thought he was never travelling to be honest with you. He had a run 13 days ago and had a hard race and this looked as though it had come too soon for him before the turn for home - when he suddenly came back on the bridle."
Betfair cut Wakool to 16-1 from 33-1 for the Pertemps Final at next month's Cheltenham Festival, but he appears unlikely to be in action at Prestbury Park.
Alexander added: "He'd be qualified for it, but I don't think we'll go. I'll speak to the owners but now he's won a Grade Two, we'll try to find another Graded race for him
"It's quite often that this race isn't the deepest, perhaps because it's so close to Cheltenham, so it's been on my mind for a while and I'm delighted it worked."
