Can G-Rod hit back against the punters? Get today's Punter v the Pro 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 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 On The Nose, 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.

The score so far: Punters 7-5 The Pro

The punter . . .

Name: Dave Goodman

Occupation: Property developer

Flat or jumps? Definitely jumps. Flat races are over and done with too quick.

Favourite horse: Pendil, Bula and Killiney, all from the Fred Winter era. Currently it's a horse called Quiet Flow, who we have a bit with in the Pink & Purple Partnership – he's trained up the road from me by Sam England.

Favourite course: Cheltenham used to be but it's getting more and more of a drinking and socialising place. It's hard to choose between Kelso and Hexham, where the proper racing folk go.

Biggest win: Off a single, Tiger Roll in the 2019 Grand National. I also had a couple of accas up, surprisingly both at a Wolverhampton evening meeting, going through the card and pocketing about £6,000 each time.

Unluckiest loser: Bashful Boy at Plumpton on April 17. Aucunrisque rallied gamely to collar him, having been over a length up going over the last. The result cost me two nine-horse accas and one ten-horse acca totalling over £40,000. I could have cashed out £12k in running coming over the second-last but decided not to.

. . . 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

1.50 Cheltenham

Dave: Simply The Betts

He loves Cheltenham and never got going last time, so cheekpieces are added today.

Graeme: Simply The Betts

Loves this course and is now 4lb lower than when landing the Plate at the festival a few years ago. Cheekpieces are fitted for the first time and they could do the trick.

2.25 Cheltenham

Dave: Noble Yeats

Protektorat's form isn't strong because his only serious rival, A Plus Tard, was pulled up in the Betfair Chase. Noble Yeats looks destined to take this on his way to a second Grand National and possibly the Gold Cup. He is improving at a rate of knots and is only eight. I hope Ahoy Senor makes his late deceased part-owner Peter Russell proud.

Graeme: Protektorat

Last year's Gold Cup third has a superb record at Cheltenham and looked better than ever when landing the Betfair Chase at Haydock on his reappearance. He can follow up.

2.40 Doncaster

Dave: Idalko Bihoue

He will relish the step up in trip and the drop in class after staying on well behind the impressive Hermes Allen at Newbury.

Graeme: Twig

Lots of good form on flat, left-handed tracks like this over both hurdles and fences and might know too much for some lesser-experienced rivals.

3.00 Cheltenham

Dave: Paisley Park

He's in form, loves it here and seems very close to his best this season.

Graeme: Paisley Park

Outstanding staying hurdler who looked as good as ever despite advancing years when landing the Long Walk at Kempton. He loves Cheltenham and the return here will suit.

3.15 Doncaster

Dave: Demachine

I'm not sure about the extra trip for Ga Law so I'm plumping for Demachine at value odds, with jockey Caoilin Quinn able to claim 5lb. Demachine will relish the trip and the better going – he got bogged down last time out.

Graeme: Windsor Avenue

Now 2lb lower than when landing this race last year and showed he still retains plenty of ability when fourth to L'Homme Presse in the Rehearsal at Newcastle in November.

3.35 Cheltenham

Dave: Rock My Way

Pembroke can do no more than keep winning, but I was impressed with Rock My Way on his first run under rules over course and distance when unfancied. With normal improvement, expect a bold showing.

Graeme: Henri The Second

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