Mark Joyce versus Lee Walker (19.30)
Mark Joyce, ranked 45 in the world, is favourite (1/2) to beat Lee Walker (13/8), ranked 84, but the Walsall professional has yet to progress beyond the last 64 in seven tournaments in 2016 and lost 5-3 to the Welshman in the last 128 of the World Open in Yushan, China last June. Walker regained his place on the World Snooker Tour courtesy of his performances in European Tour events, in which he reached the last 32 on three occasions, in 2015/16 and subsequently reached the last 32 of the Paul Hunter Classic in August. He may just have the edge again this time.
Peter Ebdon versus Wang Yuchen (19.30)
Former World Champion Peter Ebdon, now ranked 34 in the world, is a short price (3/10) to see off Chinese teenager Wang Yuchen (5/2), ranked 102, and probably rightly so. A quarter-final in the Indian Open in Hydrabad last July, he lost 4-3 to Nigel Bond, is the best result Ebdon has to offer recently, but he should have too much tactical nouse for his young opponent.
Rod Lawler versus Anthony Hamilton (19.30)
The erstwhile “Sheriff of Pottingham”, Anthony Hamilton, has slipped down the rankings after chronic neck pain in recent years, but looked a certainty to reach the final of the Northern Ireland Open last weekend before feathering the cue ball. He has the distinction of being favourite (4/6) to beat Rod Lawler (6/5), despite being ranked 11 places lower than his opponent, at 67, by World Snooker and can make amends, at least to some extent, against an opponent who is solid enough, without being anything special.
Selections: Lee Walker, Peter Ebdon, Anthony Hamilton, 1-point Win Treble (4.68/1 with bet 365)
The Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer Handicap (5.15) at Newcastle on Friday looks competitive enough for the grade, but Horsforth is 2-2 on synthetic surfaces, including over course and distance in September and may be progressive enough to complete a hat-trick. The Kyllachy filly has been raised 4lb in the weights for winning at Nottingham earlier this month, but her earlier defeat of Zipedeedodah at Chelmsford has been franked by runner-up, who won in this grade at Wolverhampton last Saturday, so she hardly looks overburdened. Conor Beasley has won on four of his last 11 rides for Richard Guest, including Horsforth herself, and the ‘miracle jockey’ – who fractured his skull and spine and suffered a neck injury in a horrific fall at Wolverhampton in July 2015 – can chalk up another victory.