Lucky 15 Tips: Almeraq looking to continue his upward trajectory

There are two meetings this Sunday, starting with jumps action at Fontwell and followed by the Premier Raceday at York featuring the Listed Garrowby Stakes at 16:30.

Below are my Lucky 15 Tips for Sunday's action.

Horse Racing Odds

Fast Racing Results

14:30 York – Secret History @ 10/3

Secret History put in an eye-catching performance when finishing second on debut last month. She raced toward the rear in the early stages and made a move for the front with two furlongs to go, although she had left herself too much to do and was unable to catch the winner.

However, it was a good start to her career, and what was most noticeable was her turn of foot in the closing stages. Had she raced a bit more prominently, she may have gotten closer to the winner, and if she can produce a similar performance, she should go well.

Secret History may be up against it a touch, being the only filly in what looks a very open maiden, but connections clearly have high hopes for her as she is entered in the Rockfel Stakes, Cheveley Park Stakes and the Fillies’ Mile.

Her debut run stands her in good stead, and her breeding suggests she will improve for her run, so she has every chance to go one better.

15:00 York – Alzahir @ 10/1

After an impressive start to this season, which included a hat-trick of wins in July, the handicapper seemed to have gotten a good hold of Alzahir, who has not been able to reproduce his excellent early-season form of late.

After bringing up his treble at Ascot last month, he disappointed somewhat when running at York. On a career high mark, he led in the early part of the race but weakened in the closing stages. He followed that up with a similar performance at Goodwood, never making much of an impact on the race and fading in similar fashion.

However, Alzahir put in a much better performance last time out when finishing fourth at Ripon, racing prominently throughout and, while he finished a little way back from the first three home, he stayed on well, suggesting that he may have turned a corner.

The drop back to five furlongs should not be an issue as he won over five furlongs in that Ascot success, and this looks to be a more manageable mark for him, only 1lb higher than his last winning one.

Jennie Candlish's gelding will have to be at his best, but he has a good chance to bounce back.

16:12 Fontwell – Lermoos Legend @ 6/5

Lermoos Legend finally got over the line first last time out, following a frustrating summer campaign that saw him finish second in four consecutive races.

It seemed as though it was never going to work out for him, but an emphatic win most recently - running and jumping well to win by nine-and-a-half lengths - proved that patience is key.

While he got slightly fortunate with his rival making a mistake at the last fence, he still looked to be well placed to take the win beforehand and did so comfortably.

Mickey Bowen’s charge has only been put up 5lb for that success, which looks to be manageable, and if he can reproduce that sort of performance, he should be there or thereabouts.

16:30 York – Almeraq @ 7/4

Having never finished outside the first two in his four-race career, Almeraq showed that he is one to keep an eye on last time out.

Showing signs of rustiness on his belated seasonal debut, he put that behind him with an impressive display in the Ayr Gold Cup Trail in July. Racing just behind the leaders, William Haggas’ three-year-old showed a remarkable turn of pace two furlongs out to pull clear in the final hundred yards, beating some vastly more experienced campaigners in the process.

Almeraq is an exciting prospect going forward, and while he is inexperienced at this level, he is entered in the Ayr Gold Cup and the Champion Sprint Stakes. He looks capable of putting in a winning performance now, which will stand him in good stead going into those big races in the autumn.

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 £360 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.