Our tipster is going for a longshot in the big race of the day and makes two other selections at Sandown Park and Haydock as the National Hunt season draws to a close.
bet365 Gold Cup (Sandown, 3.30)
Have a drink on a Friend to get Sandown's end-of-season celebrations started. HENRY'S FRIEND looks an ideal type for the bet365 Gold Cup as the spotlight switches from the jumps to the Flat action.
He's got an excellent record on right-handed tracks and has three wins from four starts on genuinely good ground. His only defeat on a decent surface came when returning from a long break.
He's not been at his best in three races since making a successful return to action at Ascot in November but there have been excuses. Ben Pauling's runner has never seemed in love with Cheltenham, where he ran in December, and he simply found 3m around Kempton too sharp last time out.
He has always looked likely to be suited by marathon distances. Although it hasn't clicked yet, this does look more suitable than his other tries. The cheekpieces he wears for the first time should also help. Have 2pts each-way at 16-1. Sky Bet is paying out on five places.
Handicap Hurdle (Sandown, 1.45)
SECRET SNIPER makes his handicap debut after running in three novice hurdles. This brother of useful Secret Squirrel – also trained by Hughie Morrison – should love the demands of this big-field contest.
It's interesting he has been kept to sharp tracks so far over hurdles. That may well have masked his true ability and he should appreciate this stiffer test of stamina. He has a fair bit of ground to make up on Minella Yoga as he was ten lengths behind Paul Nicholls' runner at Taunton a couple of weeks ago but the weights are much more in his favour this time. The track will also help and he does look nicely weighted for his first run in a handicap. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1. Sky Bet is offering six places.
Flat Race (Haydock, 2.35)
GREAT ACCLAIM is my best bet on the Flat at Haydock. He finished well beaten in the Lincoln on his first run of the season but that was no surprise considering he doesn't appear to stay a mile. The blinkers he wore to great effect last year were also left off and are back on for this return to 7f. Have 1pt each-way at 9-1. Most firms are going four places.
