The Christmas racing has delivered in a big way for Nicky Henderson and all National Hunt racing enthusiasts, with the performances of Constitution Hill and Sir Gino. However, it has been meagre pickings for the likes of Mullins, Nicholls, Venetia, and Skelton, who have generally failed to deliver their followers the Christmas gifts expected.
I am looking forward to Galopin Des Champs improving the mood at Closutton today and returning to the head of the Gold Cup betting after the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
One top trainer to meet expectations has been Ben Pauling, and I expect the yard to deliver another gift for punters in the shape of the useful staying chaser Henry’s Friend in the Coral Mandarin Chase, the 2:20 at Newbury. The 7-year-old has shown steady improvement over the past 12 months, and his latest run in the Coral Gold Cup rates as the best form on show in this event. This is yet another historic staying chase that lacks the quality of previous years.
The horse has already been well backed from 11/2 into a general 7/2, although I don’t expect it to shorten further, unlike yesterday’s gamble on King William Rufus, 4/1 (advised) into 5/4, and our last bet from the stable, Champagne Twist, 6/1 (advised) into 15/8. It is probably one of the most frustrating aspects of racing when these big gambles fail to deliver. However, if you keep backing 5/4 and 15/8 chances at 4/1 and 6/1, you cannot fail to make significant profits.
Back to Henry’s Friend: there is a wide range of opinions amongst the leading tipsters for this race, with cases being made for a majority of the field.
My reading of the race is that, aside from Henry’s Friend, most of the field are either coming back from a layoff or need 3m4f plus and soft ground. Henry’s Friend, with that touch of class and proven ability at the track, on the ground, and at the distance, makes for a good bet.
Just one bet today:
Henry’s Friend, 11/2 advised, 1pt EW, 1,2,3 places.
Chrysalis Consortium 
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