Nick Alexander's Wakool (6-1) battled to a fine victory in the Grade Two Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock Park on Saturday afternoon.
The seven-year-old, under Conor O'Farrell, was in rear for much of the three-mile contest but came late to land a length-and-three-quarter success over Itchy Feet (4-1) with Randox Grand National hopeful Ashtown Lad (7-2) a further 10 lenghts back in third.
Wakool was landing his seventh success over hurdles but a first Grade Two victory and was cut to 12-1 from 20-1 for the Pertemps Final Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. And although he is qualified to line up at Prestbury Park, trainer Alexander doesn't expect him to feature.
