Lucky 15 Tips: Barbie comes to Geordieland

It's Friday already, and the gateway to a weekend that will lead us into a new week - one of the most significant in racing. We're buzzing with pre-Cheltenham Festival excitement here, and trust you're looking forward to all the fun, too.

In the meantime there's a cracking evening card at Gosforth Park, Newcastle - seven on the Tapeta, kicking in at 17:15. We've had winners this week, including two on Tuesday, and it would be lovely to trouble the judge once again on Friday. Here goes;

Gold Cup Betting Odds

Cheltenham Betting Odds

17:45 - Frank The Spark @ 5/1

Our first little tickle concerns an experienced five-year-old sprinter who was in terrific form when last seen, but is reappearing after a break of some 169 days.

The Orientor gelding, trained by Paul Midgely and ridden by regular pilot David Nolan, tried 6f here last April but didn't appear to get home. 5f looks to be ideal, and he's won three of his 13 career starts.

This doesn't look a deep heat to me and as Frank The Spark was in career-best territory when last active, all that coming after a wind op in the spring, perhaps there's a little more improvement to come, even aged five?

He runs frequently on the turf as well and connections should have plenty of fun with this one in the coming months.

18:15 - Tantomile @ 7/2

A four-year-old filly now, with a relative featherweight which will be reduced further by her rider's 7lb claim.

The mighty Richard Fahey trains this one at Musley Bank, North Yorkshire; and the filly arrives fresh from winning in a slightly lower grade at Southwell. I tend to upgrade Southwell wins a tad as it takes plenty of getting, that homeward-bound run, and as it was her best effort to date we can say she's on a definite upward curve.

Tantomile was beaten a short-head here at the beginning of February so evidently acts on the track, and as the last contest just six days ago was an apprentice race she escapes a penalty, running today off the same mark of 47. Why can't she go in again, while in such good heart?

18:45 - Rahiebb @ 7/2

A three-year-old novice stakes race now, and an unraced Frankel colt out of a Street Cry mare.

The eminent Newmarket-based Roger Varian trains, and Jack Mitchell has the riding assignment. Two previous winners carry 6lb penalties, and I'm basing my selection on Rahiebb's beautiful breeding, stable, and the fact that he runs in the colours of the prolific Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum.

One of the previous scorers is with the potent Karl Burke, but in receipt of the weight if this colt runs to his breeding today's mile trip could be right up his alley.

19:15 - Margot Robbie @ 15/8

The Barbie reference - and a five-year-old Muhaarar mare housed at Geoff Oldroyd's in Brawby, North Yorkshire.

No wins in five runs so far and she didn't start her career until February 2023. Her last effort was three weeks ago, after a break of some 403 days (!), and it was encouragingly probably her best start to date. The outcome was a head defeat at Southwell, off a mark of 46.

Margot Robbie is up a pound for that but seems to have turned a corner. She ran right to the line at Southwell and if there's even the slightest bit of improvement after that long lay-off she's got a huge chance in a very ordinary affair. I wonder if the fragrant Ms Robbie will be tuning in to watch her namesake?

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.

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Lucky 15 tips from Betfred Insights.