Two Friday bets from Ryder, featuring a strong Newcastle fancy and a 50/1 each-way swing at Windsor.
15:20 Newcastle
3:20 Newcastle – Pocklington - 1pt
7/2 best price at the time of publishing.
It is interesting that the Geoff Oldroyd trained POCKLINGTON (best priced at 7/2) is re-fitted with a visor for the first time since August 2024 despite winning last time at Southwell. The five-year-old had been running consistently well all season in defeat before beating Eminency last time who was off the back of a career best victory the race before.
Pocklington has only been nudged up 3lbs for that neck success and he should be better suited by this return to Newcastle. Regular rider P J McDonald is once again on board and he should prove the one to beat.
15:35 Windsor
3:35 Windsor – No Ordinary Joe - 0.25 pts EW
50/1 best price at the time of publishing.
Despite finishing last of 9 at Haydock last time, I thought NO ORDINARY JOE (best priced at 50/1) showed a lot more throughout that run and a recent wind operation would give a valid excuse for his poor finishing effort. The ten-year-old is well handicapped on his previous form for Nicky Henderson when winning a handicap hurdle off a mark of 134 and placing in the Greatwood Hurdle and Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle off marks of 133 and 139 respectively.
No Ordinary Joe has now dropped down to a career low mark of 128 and he looks worth backing with five places widely available.
