Punter v the Pro picks: Graeme Rodway takes on his latest challenger on Hungerford Stakes day
Introducing Punter v the Pro, our tipping competition in which Racing Post readers go head to head with this week's guest top tipster, Robbie 'The Ante-Postman' Wilders.
The format is simple: the punter and the pro each 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 25-13 The Pro
The punter . . .
Name: Mike Weston
Occupation: Estate worker
Jumps or Flat? Jumps
Favourite horse: Viking Flagship
Favourite course: Cheltenham
Biggest win: Numbersixvalverde in the 2006 Grand National
Unluckiest loser: Annie Power
. . . and the pro
Graeme Rodway is one of the longest-serving members of the Racing Post's tipping and analysis team.
Twice a 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 more than ten years and now specialises in hurdles races over jumps and staying races on the Flat.
The picks
Mike: Music Society
Is 2lb lower than when fifth in the Stewards' Cup. He was denied a run at a crucial stage on that occasion and could run well at a price.
Graeme: Divine Libra
Lightly raced three-year-old who improved for a drop to this trip when winning at Chester last month and followed up with a good third over course and distance. He has escaped a rise and looks open to further progress.
Mike: Katey Kontent
Ran well in Group 2 and Listed races at two and was short of room last time when returning for the season. She could still have the class to win this off top weight.
Graeme: Harry Brown
Keeps ruining his chance with slow starts, but has still performed well and now runs off the same mark as when recording a career-best third at Goodwood in May. A reproduction of that form might be good enough.
Mike: Strong Johnson
Wasn't beaten too far at York in his last run and is still well handicapped on his Irish form.
Graeme: Absolutelyflawless
Seems to like Chester and her ability to handle the tight turns there bodes well for her chance on the humps and bumps at Ripon. She returns from a short break and this might have been the target.
Mike: Alpha Capture
I'm going to take a chance on this three-year-old, who is a big price for the William Haggas-Tom Marquand combination is worth another go over 7f in an open race.
Graeme: Accidental Agent
Has dropped to a good mark and finished close up in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. He is 3lb lower now, in a weaker race and finished strongly at Chepstow last time. The easing ground is in his favour.
Mike: Monsieur Kodi
Won well enough at Glorious Goodwood and the runner-up Capote's Dream was a winner at Windsor on Thursday. He will take some beating in this competitive handicap and won't mind any rain, either.
Graeme: Monsieur Kodi
Progressive four-year-old who is up only 3lb for his win at Goodwood last time and the runner-up has already franked the form with a win since. The forecast rain is in Monsieur Kodi's favour and he is the one to beat.
Mike: Marbaan
Ran well in the Lennox Stakes and could be running into the sort of form needed to figure in this Group 2.
Graeme: Chindit
Has recorded two of his three highest Racing Post Ratings at this course and appears to have a class edge now he is dropped into a Group 2. A reproduction of his Lockinge second at this track in May should be good enough.
Read these next:
Saturday's free racing tips: five horses to consider putting in your multiples
Nine key punting pointers to help you beat the bookies on Saturday
Do you want £200+ of free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
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