Lucky 15 Tips: I just can’t refuse The Don

After a welcome little post-Chelters break it's great to be back. In ten days or so it will be Aintree's turn to put on a wonderful Festival, one I've been delighted to attend on many occasions in the past, but for our Lucky 15 tips on Tuesday, March 25 let's pop up north to Gosforth Park, Newcastle, and an eight-race jamboree on the Tapeta.

Action starts at 16:43, and arguably the biggest name attending among the jocks is the brilliant Rossa Ryan.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

17:15 - Life On The Rocks @ 10/3

We kick-off with a seven-year-old gelding from the mighty yard of Richard Fahey who trains about 90 miles away, north-east of York.

Life On The Rocks looks to be handicapped to win, frankly. Off this mark of 54, on another all-weather Tapeta surface a fortnight ago (Wolves), he ran a cracker over just short of this 1m 2f distance, running on late after a wide trip had seen him with a bit to do.

It was still his best run for a while, and in such heart he can go in today. He scored off 66 on the turf as recently as August last, and stable jockey Oisin Orr has the riding assignment.

He was on board last time, too, so knows exactly what's required.

18:15 - Don Simon @ 2/1

A potent combo now all right - trainer Ed Dunlop and jockey Rossa Ryan, responsible for plenty of winners when teaming up in recent seasons.

Don Simon is the most experienced of these novices, with four pretty ordinary career starts thus far since debuting in November 2023. The four-year-old Sea The Stars gelding is bred to be decent but has evidently has his problems, and returns after an absence of some 180 days.

He's opposed by a really mixed bag which includes a 10-year-old convert from the jumps, another with an even longer absence to overcome, plus a last-time scorer from the Balding yard who's likely to be a very short, potentially odds-on chance in this.

However - if my fella has found his feet after a recent gelding operation, and with the breeding and connections to certainly highly recommend him, he could upset the fav for the win.

19:15 - Pastoral Way @ 5/1

Another North Yorkshire training titan, David O'Meara, sends this three-year-old gelded son of Pastoral Pursuits to contest a modest little sprint at the minimum distance.

Pastoral Way has had four runs so far, all at this 5f trip, and in his first handicap 29 days ago finished just under 3l off the winner, from an opening mark of 56.

The kindly assessor has seen fit to drop him a pound for that and on the basis of every little helps it's certainly no bad thing. He should know far more about what's required by now, and being by a G1 July Cup winner he should have a bit of toe up his sleeve for when the stars align - hopefully on Tuesday evening.

20:15 - Bomb Squad @ 6/1

Lucky last time, and an experienced seven-year-old gelded son of Lethal Force going 7f.

Bomb Squad is housed with John Mackie in Derbyshire, and the excellent PJ McDonald, who rode him last time for the very first time, once again has the mount. Our selection is eight-from-71 in terms of wins/career starts, so knows where the jam-stick is.

He last won just over a month ago at Southwell off 56, and today's mark of 58 is hardly off-putting while in such decent order - he's run very well in two spins since that success, including here 13 days ago (beaten 2.75l).

He's value for me against the likely warm fav Cloch Nua, who's looking to defy a 4lb hike.

This is an example of a Lucky 15. If you can improve upon my selections (of course you can), then go for it!

The odds can fluctuate between publishing our pieces and race-time. As a guide, a £0.50p win Lucky 15 on today's selections, at the prices, and assuming all four won, would return around £720 for your total £7.50 stake.

Fred, 'The Bonus King,' invented the 'Lucky' series of bets and their bonuses. My colleague Adam has set out all you need to know with this handy guide - take a look by clicking here.

Horse Racing & Greyhound bets only. Excludes Virtual Racing. 5x odds on Lucky 63. 4x Odds Lucky 31. 3x Odds Lucky 15. All selections must run. Paid in cash if only 1 winner. T&Cs Apply.

Lucky 15 tips from Betfred Insights.