Lucky 15 Tips: Silvestre could be lethal in the lucky last

Haydock's two-day Betfred-sponsored meeting starts on Friday, so there's our Lucky 15 tips nicely taken care of. It's the John Of Gaunt and another cracking G3 on Saturday, but Friday evening isn't too shabby either.

The super-competitive six-race card kicks in at 17:30 and a fabulous time looks assured for all on Merseyside, adjacent to junction 26 of the M6. First racetrack I ever visited as a grown-up (pram at Yarmouth can't really count), and a superb venue for both flat racing and jumping action.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

17:30 - Ribble River @ 7/2

There might just be an unwritten rule in amateur contests on the flat - if Mr Simon Walker's around, look no further!

He rattled up a fabulous four-timer on George Baker's Beauld As Brass in late April and May just to advertise his evergreen talent, and he steps up here to combine with brilliant North Yorkshire handler Kevin Ryan and his four-year-old Ribchester gelding Ribble River.

On seasonal reappearance at Ponty 52 days ago the selection was running on nicely at the finish, at this 1m 4f trip, and had signed off for 2024 with successive wins at Carlisle and Hamilton in the manner of a quietly improving type.

He's bred for speed but middle distances seem well within compass and if you can finish with resolution at Pontefract at this kind of trip you shouldn't be wanting for stamina pretty much anywhere else.

Looks a significant jockey booking to me and if 'soft' appears in the going description he's won on good-to-soft already, though I doubt he would appreciate anything worse than that.

18:05 - Pole Star @ 5/4

Will Buick was in sensational four-timer territory when last seen here a matter of days ago and he teams up with Charlie Johnston and his three-year-old Teofilo colt Pole Star, out of a Dubawi mare.

The selection has had just two runs to date, both this term, and crackers they were. Beaten 2l in a Chester maiden, then just a head in a Newmarket novice.

This trip evidently holds no terrors, and after running green on both occasions so far he'll benefit from that experience no doubt and can score for the in-form Buick, who has four nice rides in his book as he bids to add more North-West success to his seasonal tally.

19:50 - Participle @ 6/5

A once-raced three-year-old daughter of the peerless Frankel now, for Juddmonte, trainer Ralph Bennett, and jockey Rossa Ryan.

Participle reappears after a gap of some 288 days but is a very exciting prospect for connections after going close on Salisbury debut (beaten a nose) to a rival who went on to take a $43k Listed affair at Newbury earlier this month.

This is lovely race with some big yards involved, and should be very informative going forward. The stable are in decent order (21% strike-rate over the last fortnight), and wouldn't they love another Bluestocking-type on their hands?

20:25 - Atlantic Sunset @ 6/1

Three-year-old handicappers go 1m 4f and we're heading Middleham Moor-way once again in selecting a Charlie Johnston-trained conveyance - Atlantic Sunset.

He's by Arc winner Waldgeist, out of a Theatrical mare, and is yet to score after five runs. However, his last was his best to date, a narrow 0.75l defeat at Thirsk 13 days ago, sticking to the task determinedly close home.

A deserved first score could be at hand and the quite brilliant Silvestre De Sousa has been given the riding assignment. The racing weight of 8st 13lb reads well with half a dozen of his rivals marked between 9st 1lb and 9st 9lb, and the combination of typical Johnston grit and De Sousa's all-action drive could be simply irresistible.

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 £225 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.