Blaklion looks fresh and ready to roar

BLAKLION can gain handsome compensation for his premature exit in the Grand National by ending the season in glory in the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown this afternoon.

The nine-year-old was strongly fancied to improve upon his fourth place in the world’s greatest steeplechase in 2017 but was brought down at the first fence.

Thankfully, Blaklion was caught quickly to prevent him from jumping loose round Aintree.

That was a great relief to trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has been able to prepare Blaklion for this race without being worried about the National taking too much out of him.

Blaklion comes into this race fairly fresh with just four outings this term and his overall form stands up in a contest of this nature.

It is not surprising he has to carry top weight, but he should provide TwistonDavies a good chance of giving him a second success in this race after Beau 18 years ago.

ALTIOR can give the jumps season a fitting finale by winning the bet365 Celebration Chase for the second year running.

Nicky Henderson’s ace was a novice when landing the prize 12 months ago and bids to retain his crown on the back of being crowned two-mile king in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

He is the undisputed class act as the curtain falls on the National Hunt campaign.

DOUBLE SHUFFLE ran below form behind Might Bite at Aintree last time but is worth another chance in the bet365 Oaksey Chase.

He had got within one length of Might Bite in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and a reproduction of that performance would be good enough to see him come out on top.

PROSCHEMA looked a potentially smart colt when opening his account at Doncaster and can back up that opinion by following up in the Read Silvestre De Sousa At 188Bet Novice Stakes at Haydock. SELECTIONS

HAYDOCK: 1.30 Proschema, 2.05 Medieval, 2.40 Four White Socks, 3.15 Fire Diamond, 3.45 Sherzy Boy, 4.15 Fire Brigade, 4.50 Stonific.

SANDOWN: 1.50 Highway One O One, 2.25 Double Shuffle, 3.00 Altior, 3.35 BLAKLION (NAP), 4.05 Call Me Lord, 4.40 Geordie Des Champs, 5.15 Enniscoffey Oscar.

DOUBLE: Blaklion and Proschema.