'The pair are profitable to back blind when teaming up' - six claimers it could pay to keep on side this season

Graeme Rodway with six claimers to keep a close eye on this season . . .

Freddie Gordon

It was another fantastic season for Gordon in 2024-25, when his biggest victories came on board Our Champ for his father Chris and the Nicky Henderson-trained East India Express.

This time last year Gordon’s winners were all but confined to horses he partnered for his dad’s stable, but Henderson has now supplied nine victories for the up-and-coming rider.

Gordon still has many more winners left in his locker before he rides out his claim in full, but he should continue to be a force in big handicaps even when his allowance is no longer available.

Alex Chadwick

Shrewd trainer James Owen doesn’t miss a trick when it comes to jockeys and his faith in Chadwick has been repaid in spades. The pair are profitable to back blind when teaming up.

James Owen: the trainer has found a top conditional in Alex ChadwickCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Chadwick has already reached the 50-winner mark for his career and the vast majority of those winners came for the Owen stable. 

Expect another big season for the experienced but still improving rider, who can put his claim to good use before going on to make his mark without it.

John Shinnick

It is not easy to make your mark in Ireland without the support of the biggest yards, but Shinnick has made a good fist of it and also amassed a wealth of experience while still retaining his claim.

John Shinnick has Terence O'Brien as his big supporterCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Terence O’Brien has been the jockey's biggest supporter and he will continue to supply the bulk of his rides. But Shinnick also fits in plenty for other yards and is particularly adept at some of Ireland’s lesser-known tracks, with Clonmel, Ballinrobe, Cork and Limerick happy hunting grounds.

Tiernan Power Roche

There is a real buzz about the potential of Power Roche, who is one of the rising stars of Irish racing and was among those who Willie Mullins turned to in last season’s Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Tiernan Power-Roche is presented with his champion conditional trophy by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon at PunchestownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Philip Rothwell has supplied Power Roche with the majority of his rides, but Cian Collins has formed a strong partnership with the impressive claimer and they are profitable to follow blind.

Luke Scott

You can often tell a good conditional by how much trainers put their faith in them and there aren’t many shrewder than Richard Newland. He has full confidence in Scott, who has already had more than 200 rides for the trainer solely, or more recently in tandem with Jamie Insole.

Luke Scott: has developed a fruitful partnership with Jennie CandlishCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Scott has also developed a fruitful partnership with Jennie Candlish and it is worth looking out for when they join forces. It has been profitable to back all of their runners blind to level stakes.

Joe Williamson

The strength in northern-based riders is not confined to the professional ranks because Williamson is an up-and-comer who has made a good impression since the start of his career.

Joe Williamson: has already had more than 500 ridesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He has already had more than 500 rides, but has the benefit of experience and his claim has been well utilised by chief supporter Phil Kirby. Williamson has also teamed up for wins with other northern-based trainers, including Danny Brooke, George Bewley and Rebecca Menzies.

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Our bid for another jumps title is starting early - and I also think I was riding our next Cheltenham Gold Cup winner last season 

'He might have a Nick Rockett-like prep' - Tom Segal with his four best bets for the jumps season including a 40-1 Grand National pick 

'I lost a few owners and a lot of horses, but sometimes it’s good for you in life when you have little dips - it makes you stronger' 

Hello, I'm Moray Smith - a pro punter obsessed with the Cheltenham Festival who can't wait to start dreaming again 

Power Rankings: Who made our list of top ten trainers in Britain and Ireland this season? Plus a horse to follow for each 

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