Lucky 15 Tips: Hugo looks to have his hands full at Newbury

There's a good-looking Newbury card on Friday that kicks in at 15:05; six races, with some of the best jocks in the country present. Ideal material then for our Lucky 15 tips, as we gear up for weekend and have a little peep ahead even to York's magnificent Ebor Festival that runs from Wednesday-Saturday inclusive.

Great time of the year - as well as events on the Knavesmire to savour there's the small matter of the returning Premier League first of all this very weekend, and a chance to ponder all those star turns recruited for eye-watering sums looking to make their marks. Sport - in a league of its own.

Horse Racing Odds

Fast Racing Results

15:05 - Sunny Smile @ 9/4

The mighty Oisin Murphy rides this two-year-old Supremacy gelding, as he did on his last racecourse appearance, for trainer Hugo Palmer.

Sunny Smile has had three fairly progressive spins so far, the best of which was last time out, four weeks ago, at Hamilton Park. Making all over today's 6f trip he won his maiden readily from a good yardstick in David O'Meara's Lucky Hero, narrowly beaten in a Chester handicap himself nearly two weeks ago.

'Sunny' has got a couple of early closing entries for well-endowed two-year-old autumn contests and makes his handicap debut today in this nursery. He's got topweight to shoulder off a mark of 81 so the assessor at least views him as the best horse in the race.

He's giving four pounds and more to his rivals but I think he's up to the task - and Palmer is a master with juveniles.

16:10 - Be The Standard @ 3/1

More two-year-olds, this time in a one mile maiden.

Our selection Be The Standard is a son of useful miler Galiway (trained by Andre Fabre), and has had just the one start so far. That was at Haydock Park 27 days ago and the colt ran very well in finishing third, 1.5l behind the winner.

Hollie Doyle is doing the steering, so often associated with this trainer's youngsters (yes, it's that man Hugo Palmer again), and as one of only two to have run he can put that experience to good use.

Stepping up to a mile should suit on breeding and the evidence of that solitary outing, and while this a lovely little heat I certainly wouldn't swap mine - plus Haydock is a very similar test to Newbury in terms of course layout, which can only help.

17:20 - She's The Duchess @ 7/2

Class 4 handicappers go 7f, and we're siding with a three-year-old Bated Breath filly lining up for career start number seven.

She's The Duchess is housed with George Boughey at Newmarket, and will be ridden by Billy Loughnane; riding the crest of a Group 1 wave courtesy of his recent association with Godolphin's Rebel's Romance.

Our filly won on debut at Newcastle on the Tapeta back in January and has subsequently been consistency itself - three seconds, two close-up fourths and the promise of more to come.

She's down to a mark of 78 this afternoon, her lowest to date, and I think she can take this.

17:57 - Shalfa @ 5/1

The lucky last already, and a six-year-old Ribchester mare trained by Lydia Richards in West Sussex.

This is a small yard that strikes infrequently, but this might be a decent opportunity for Shalfa to record career victory number five. The horse had a 310-day break after finishing well back in a 10f Lingfield handicap in September last, and when reappearing at Windsor 25 days ago was much more like the best version of her old self, finishing second beaten 4.25l.

With that run under her belt and off the same mark of 63 she can be competitive in this apprentice handicap for Rose Dawes, who'd had five winners this season from around 31 rides.

It might just be a red-letter day then for the stable if Shalfa can put her best foot forward. Her last success was off a mark of 65 at Brighton in June 2024 so the mark is perfectly feasible if she's on-song.

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 £400 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.