Alan Thomson's Racing Tips: Henderson ace can win Brain teaser

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A SMALL but very select field lines up for the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown and BRAIN POWER (1.45) will be hard to beat on the evidence of his thrilling chasing debut at Kempton.

Nicky Henderson's gelding jumped fast and accurately to come home alone and he landed the Listed handicap hurdle under a big weight on this card 12 months ago. The anticipated good to soft ground is ideal.

This is much deeper event, with all four of his rivals attaining a high level of form, and it looks one to savour.

THE WICKET CHICKEN (12.40) was in tremendous form when last seen in midsummer, mopping up three races for Neil Mulholland.

The daughter of Milan will get the decent surface she relishes and makes plenty of appeal in receipt of so much weight from Whatduhavtoget.

Mulholland's DOING FINE (3.30) was beaten a neck by Rocky Creek in last year's Betfair London National and should again be involved in the finish, despite his 11lb higher mark.

His third to Cogry at Cheltenham was a sound effort and this 3m 4f trip will sort out the men from the boys.

Sugar Baron was off the bridle at an early stage at Cheltenham but finished with a rare old rattle to almost grab the spoils. First-time blinkers could well sharpen him up to good effect.

Two races over the Grand National fences will provide plenty of thrills and spills at Aintree where GOODTOKNOW (1.30) is worth an each-way interest in the 3m 3f Randox Health Becher Chase.

Kerry Lee's nine-year-old ploughed through the Hereford mud last season to beat stablemate Mountainous, a previous Welsh Grand National hero, and the ability to handle a deep surface will count for plenty.

He chased home One For Arthur in the 3m 5f Betfred Warwick Classic before running 13th in the big one at Aintree. Blinkers are back on this afternoon.

Blaklion is a worthy favourite after significant midweek support but represents questionable value at skinny odds on this heavy ground.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' chaser looked the most likely Grand National winner crossing the Melling Road but he had been in front a long way out and weakened into fourth. His close second to Bristol De Mai at Wetherby is by far the best form in the race and he can race off a 2lb lower mark here.

There are many others with sound claims and I wouldn't want to put you off anything.

CAPTAIN REDBEARD (3.10) is usually a very sound jumper and merits each-way support in the 188bet Grand Sefton Chase.

He finished almost four lengths behind Arctic Gold when they filled the places behind Cyrus Darius at Ayr but enjoys a 10lb pull. That was Captain Redbeard's first run in 203 days and is entitled to strip a bit sharper.