Lucky 15 Tips: Silvestre’s the man at Ascot

There's a good-looking meeting at Ascot on Friday, whetting the appetite for the track's G1 midsummer highlight - the King George on Saturday afternoon. That's where I'm heading therefore for our Lucky 15 tips. There's a Listed heat plus some excellent supporting contests.

The six-race card gets underway at 13:50. Many of the game's leading players are present, and it really should be a thriller.

Horse Racing Odds

Fast Racing Results

14:25 - Reciprocated @ 7/4

The deadly combination of trainer Karl Burke and jockey Cliff Lee. Those familiar yellow and black Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum colours. A well entered-up two-year-old Havana Grey colt. What's not to like?

Reciprocated is looking to take this 7f Listed heat en route to York's G2 Gimcrack Stakes - or the G1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, perhaps. Two runs for this one so far - a Nottingham novice win, followed by success at Carlisle for a pot in excess of £20k. Promise and authority in spades shown on both occasions.

Plenty of improvement from runs one to two - and another leap is entirely possible now he's stepped up a furlong, and raised in class. It's impossible to ignore well-bred, talented raiders from this yard, and ambitions will be lofty indeed.

It will surprise precisely no-one if grander plans come that little bit closer to being realised this afternoon.

15:00 - Fireblade @ 5/1

A far more experienced campaigner now; a staying handicapper going two miles in a race that commemorates a great champion from yesteryear - Brown Jack, winner at SEVEN consecutive Royal Ascots in the late 20s/early 30s.

Newmarket trainer Dylan Cunha has the four-year-old son of Frankel himself Fireblade entered up in this handicap. In the form of his life right now he's stepping up to 2m for the first time and it probably needs to unlock a bit of improvement, as the handicapper has seemed to be in charge of late in three runs since winning a Leicester heat (1m 4f) off a mark of 80 in April.

He runs off 85 today and this is a Class 3, up from his last couple at Class 4, and if we can get our heads around a Frankel offspring going two miles he might just find the necessary to get his head in front once again.

The brilliant James Doyle, on board on a couple of previous occasions (including for that win in the east Midlands), will be doing the pushing. With Team Gosden at Clarehaven until March, he's having his fifth run for new connections today.

15:35 - Assail @ 9/4

A 12f Class 2 handicap now, and a five-year-old No Nay Never gelding who's three-from-nine in his rather stop/start career thus far.

Assail has plenty of ability and took a Kempton event at this trip last autumn off 86. Big break (153 days) before an 'ok' effort at Meydan, another hiatus (this time 100 days) then bombing at Newmarket (never travelling), before a decent spin last time 22 days ago, once again at Kempton Park; beaten 3.25l off 89.

He's running off 88 today and has the inestimable assistance in the saddle of Silvestre De Sousa. Dave Simcock trains, and last time the selection equalled his best Racing Post rating figure. A touch more improvement, entirely feasible for one so sparingly campaigned, could make all the difference.

Huge chance for this course-and-distance scorer, and my bet of the day.

16:45 - Emeralds Pride @ 5/1

Trainer Michael Dods makes the long journey from his County Durham base with his six-year-old Pride Of Dubai mare - an outstanding seven-from-29 all told, with a further seven placed efforts.

A great credit to the yard then, and in fine fettle just now as evidenced by a comfortable win at Beverley at this minimum trip in the grade three weeks ago.

That was off 72 and a career-high 77 is on her plate today - but Emeralds Pride is in prime order and might just reward her connections for their boldness, and the undertaking of that mere 270+ mile journey.

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 £380 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.