Sometimes when a new vigorous shoot like that is pinched out at the tip the resulting "branches" are all at a steep angle to the trunk. If headed in winter the new shoots are more likely to be at a desirable flat angle.

So I think I'd vote for letting it grow. Also I've had several strong shoots like that which threw off perfect scaffold branches at near 90 degrees angles from every leaf axial when just left to grow on their own. It depends on the tree, so will do that and some won't IME.

Thanks fruitnut-that is what I thought was the best answer, my brother in law will be glad for some expert advice