Can this week's punter take down the pro with his Aintree and Sandown picks?

Introducing Punter v the Pro, our new tipping competition in which Racing Post readers go head-to-head with top tipster Graeme Rodway.

The format is simple: the punter and the pro both give six Saturday selections in ITV races decided by us and whoever comes out on top based on level-stakes profit to SP is the winner. The prize? Sheer pride!

The results will be shared every Sunday in , our free daily newsletter.

The punter . . .

Name: Steve Franklin

Occupation: Retired

Flat or jumps? Jumps

Favourite horse: Pebbles

Favourite course: Cartmel

Biggest win: I've never really had a big win!

Unluckiest loser: Crisp

. . . and the pro

Graeme Rodway is one of the longest-serving members of the Racing Post's tipping and analysis team.

A two-time top-three finisher in the Flat version of the national naps competition under the pseudonym 'The Edge', G-Rod has a proven record of tipping success over a period of more than ten years and now specialises in hurdles races over jumps and staying races on the Flat.

The picks

2.05 Aintree

Steve Franklin: Rapid Flight

He's consistent and should stay the distance.

Graeme Rodway: Gesskille

Stayed on strongly when second in the Grand Sefton over 2m5f and the Grand National fences last month. Open to plenty of further improvement as he is at his best at this trip.

2.20 Sandown

Steve: Friend Or Foe

He's from a stable in form and should be fit for his seasonal debut.

Graeme: Love Envoi

One of last season's star mares returns to tackle handicaps and she is better than this grade. Provided she is somewhere near peak fitness, she should outclass this opposition.

2.40 Aintree

Steve: Brave Seasca

Venetia Williams' horses are coming into form, but his jumping needs to improve.

Graeme: Schiehallion Munro

Has dropped to the same mark as when last successful in a handicap chase at Wetherby in February and shaped like he would improve for his reappearance fourth there last time.

2.55 Sandown

Steve: Shishkin

He should have too much class and the stable reportedly have him fit.

Graeme: Shishkin

One of two outstanding two-mile chasers in training right now and he can be forgiven a disappointing run at Cheltenham after a hard race at Ascot and on unsuitably testing ground.

3.15 Aintree

Steve: Walking On Air

Fresh from a break but should be fit. He's not the most fluent of jumpers and has run keenly in the past.

Graeme: Harbour Lake

Progressive form last season and shaped well when third in the Greatwood on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham over an inadequate 2m. The return to 2m4f should do the trick.

3.30 Sandown

Steve: Quick Wave

Should go well on the ground and the distance shouldn't be a problem.

Graeme: Revels Hill

Improving seven-year-old who won well over 3m4½f at Taunton last season. He made a promising reappearance when second over an inadequate 2m5f at Ascot and can build on that.

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Saturday's race previews:

1.30 Aintree: 'We're confident in what we've seen at home' - Ahoy Senor on revival mission

1.45 Sandown: 'It's a Grade 1 so it's no giveaway' - Henderson on hot favourite Jonbon

2.05 Aintree: 'This has been the plan with him since March' - Becher Chase quotes and insight

2.20 Sandown: Love Envoi takes first step on path towards Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham

2.55 Sandown: 'If he's back to his best he's the one to beat' - Shishkin returns in Tingle Creek

3.30 Sandown: 'We think there's plenty more to come from him' - key London National quotes

Fairyhouse: Can Champion Bumper star Facile Vega maintain unbeaten streak on hurdling debut?

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