Far West looks best bet on top quality card at Haydock

Most of the attention will rightly be on the featured Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday but there is also a fine supporting card. The Grade 3 Fixed Brush Hurdle at 2.25 is one of several competitive handicaps with runners from many of the top stables.

David Pipe’s stable is in flying form and Gevrey Chambertin has been one of the best supported horses in the ante-post market. The grey was disappointing at Cheltenham in March but is clearly a lot better than he showed on that occasion.

Alan King’s Two Rockers also has something to prove after trailing in last at the festival whilst Gullinbursti drops back to hurdles after winning with a stone in hand over fences. Lie Forrit is another who been chasing but returned to win well over hurdles at Wetherby and could run well for the in-form Lucinda Russell stable.

The best bet on the card is Far West in the Intermediate Hurdle at 12.45. The French import was unbeaten in his juvenile season until meeting Our Conor in the Triumph Hurdle.

On his first start this season he was beaten a length and three-quarters by the smart Melodic Rendezvous and can give that form a boost on Saturday. His biggest threat looks to be Rolling Star who finished behind him at Cheltenham but has plenty of potential.

Pipe could be on the mark again at 1.50 when Home Run bids to follow up his shock 40-1 victory at Cheltenham last Sunday. He will again be partnered by 7lb claimer Kieron Edgar and still looks on a handy mark.

The unbeaten More Of That will have plenty of supporters with Tony McCoy in the saddle whilst Blue Fashion and Clondaw Kaempfer are others to consider.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth makes his return to action in a top class renewal of the Betfair Chase at 3.00. Silviniaco Conti bids to make amends for his unlucky fall when going easily three from home at the festival.

Pipe’s Dynaste was arguably the top staying novice last season and he puts his Gold Cup credentials to the test. The evergreen Tidal Bay, Ryanair winner Cue Card and 2011 Gold Cup winner Long Run also take part in a fascinating Grade 1 contest.