G-Rod is back in business - but can he take a clear lead over the punters?

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 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 the following day in , our free daily newsletter. To give yourself the chance to take on our pro in the future, sign up here to On The Nose and contact us at onthenose@racingpost.com.

Yesterday's result:a welcome win for the Pro!

Playful Saint's wide-margin Leicester win gave Graeme Rodway victory over the punters. Can he get his head back in front here?

The score so far: Punters 3-3 the Pro

The punter . . .

Name: Andrew Hedley

Occupation: Georgian house restorer

Flat or jumps? Jumps

Favourite horse: Persian Punch

Favourite course: Salisbury on the Flat and Stratford over jumps

Biggest win: A random 50p Alphabet on six races at Wolverhampton on a Friday night returning £3,300 was more than a big surprise.

Unluckiest loser: This has to be my own horse Pyramid Place at Chepstow in October 2021. Hampered three out and then only failing by three-quarters of a length at a huge 25-1, it was so close to being the perfect day.

. . . 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

1.10 Leopardstown

Andrew Hedley:Shewearsitwell

In terms of ratings and weights I have her two lengths in front of the odds-on favourite Queens Brook. She's not quite a working man's price but 13-8 looks good value.

Graeme Rodway:Queens Brook

Classy mare who took another step forward when successful at Punchestown last time and should be capable of seeing off Shewearsitwell.

1.45 Leopardstown

Andrew:Amirite

The obvious choice is Gaillard Du Mesnil, but I am put off by so many placed efforts. Amirite at a potentially big price looks to have a very solid chance if he can avoid any jumping mistakes.

Graeme:Gaillard Du Mesnil

Good third behind L'Homme Presse and Ahoy Senor in last season's Brown Advisory and a reproduction of that form should be good enough.

2.20 Leopardstown

Andrew:Sharjah

I can't be backing State Man at such short odds with the two horses having very similar ratings. Sharjah has the potential to reverse the placings on their run at Punchestown. Winning this race for the fifth time looks on the cards.

Graeme:Sharjah

Seems ideally suited by the demands of this race every year and can make it a remarkable five wins on the spin in the contest.

2.40 Doncaster

Andrew:Nestor Park

An incredibly tight handicap with a whole host of potential winners. The stable form of Ben Pauling has definitely helped make the decision on my selection. The fact that Luca Morgan is taking off a very useful 3lb is another huge positive.

Graeme:Storm Control

Now 5lb lower than when second in the Sky Bet Chase over course and distance last season and ran well for a long way at Cheltenham last time.

2.55 Leopardstown

Andrew:Green Glory

Having seen how short the price is, I'm obviously not the only one who took note of his Punchestown effort last time out. This handicap hurdle debutant has surely had this race as the target for some time.

Graeme:Hardy Bloke

Unseated rider here in the Pertemps qualifier on Wednesday but likely to turn back out quickly and has a big chance on his previous fourth at Cork.

3.10 Doncaster

Andrew:Annie Mc

On ratings I have her 2lb clear of Zambella and, from another very in form yard, I can see her coming out on top on her second start of the season.

Graeme:Zambella

This is her big target for the season as she is ideally suited by 2m4½f around Doncaster and won the race last season. The ground is probably faster than she would prefer, but she can get away with it.

Today's top offer

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Read Thursday's previews:

1.10 Leopardstown: Mares' Hurdle runner-up Queens Brook out to book her festival ticket in style

1.45 Leopardstown: National Hunt Chase favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil the one to beat in Grade 1 test

2.20 Leopardstown: State Man v Sharjah v Vauban - who comes out on top in a magic Matheson?

2.40 Doncaster: can Gesskille make amends after twice finishing second over the National fences?

3.10 Doncaster: 'This is her season's target' - who's in hot pursuit of the £75,000 Silver Vase?

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