Dave Nevison's Friday tips: three best bets

East India Exprerss runs in his first handicap here, and off a rating of 123, he may have room for improvement. 

Nicky Henderson’s gelding is also making his seasonal debut, but he won on his first outing last season after a similar eight-month break, so it is arguable that this may be the best time to catch him. 

He was last seen at Punchestown in May where he unseated his rider before the race began in earnest. Hopefully, the excellent Freddie Gordon can stay in the saddle throughout this race and not get too involved in what looks set to be a strongly-contested lead. 

The selection will face similar conditions that he won twice on last year, which is another positive.

Dan Skelton applied a tongue tie and dropped this gelding down in trip by almost half a mile from his first chase start last time out, and both moves paid off with a narrow course and distance victory. 

Flash In The Park has been raised 4lb following that short-head victory, but already jumps well for a novice and definitely has improvement in him. 

This ground should suit him well and Kielan Woods, who won on him last time and knows him well, keeps the ride.

Fasol looked sure to win at Sandown last time out but a sprint off a slow pace found him out close home and he was caught, and narrowly beaten. 

Despite suffering financial disappointment for the second time this season, I have reassessed and still remain convinced he is a well-handicapped hurdler who is worth sticking with, especially in a big-field contest such as this where there seems certain to be a decent pace. 

A Group class performer on the flat, Harry Cobden is back on board here and we should hopefully get a decent price about him, with extra places also likely to be available if he’s an each-way price. 

I'm hoping he can help pay for a few drinks this Christmas!